Now that 2019 is upon us, many of us are making resolutions for the New Year. Often, resolutions include eating healthy or getting into shape, but one resolution you can make is to be better prepared for emergencies.
The city of Las Vegas Office of Emergency Management wants to help by offering the following tips to improve your preparedness and accomplish a New Year’s resolution.
Stay Informed
Learn about emergencies as they happen by downloading the Southern Nevada Community Preparedness app on your smart phone or by following @CLVAlerts on Twitter.
Prepare an Emergency Kit
If a disaster strikes, do you have enough supplies to last a day? A week? A month or a year? Having an emergency kit can help you survive. The Department of Homeland Security provides an excellent resource for building and maintaining your emergency kit.
Plan and Practice
Building a kit is an important first step, but developing an emergency plan can take your preparedness further. The plan should include steps you and your family can take if you need to evacuate your home, and whom you can contact if you are unable to return. Families should also routinely practice evacuations, so every family member can do so at a moment’s notice.
Train for Emergencies
Many organizations can help train you for emergencies. For example, the American Red Cross offers classes for First Aid, CPR or Basic Life Support. If you want to take your training further and help others in need, you can join the Southern Nevada Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). CERT trains people to help others following a disaster before first responders arrive. Learn more about Southern Nevada CERT