Now is a good time to make a winter preparedness kit

"Don't wait. Communicate. Make your emergency plan today."

That is the theme of this year's National Preparedness Month, which begins Tuesday.

"Well, September is a good month because it's basically getting ready for the change of seasons," Community Emergency Response Team trainer Jim Watkins said. "So we need to change from our summer emergency disaster kits. It's a good time to renew, restock and review, so if something's out of date, then we can replace it."

Watkins said winter emergency kits should be a little different from summer kits. For example, he would replace summer shoes and clothes with things more appropriate for cold weather, such as a winter coat.

"I would make sure I had some hand warmers ... I don't need those in summer, I need insect repellent," Watkins said. "So it's that kind of thing that I always look at and see what I need to add."

Watkins said September is a good time for a "reminder that we really don't have control over some of the things around us. And I'm not talking about just terrorism, but natural events. There's a good chance the U.S. is going to get hit with a hurricane in a week." Tropical Storm Erika was in the Caribbean Sea on Saturday, with the threat to the U.S. uncertain.

Each week of September will have its own hazard-focused theme, according to ready.gov: flood, wildfire, hurricane, power outage and a leadup to National PrepareAthon Day on Sept. 30.

America's PrepareAthon is "an opportunity for individuals, organizations and communities to prepare for specific hazards through group discussions, drills and exercises," according to community.fema.gov/about. The campaign's goal is to increase people's awareness of what disasters could happen in their community and take action so they are better-prepared.

Ready.gov encourages people to make a plan so when disaster strikes they will know how to get to a safe place, to stay in contact with family and what to do in different situations. Sample emergency plans for various scenarios are available on the website.

For those looking for more in-depth, hands-on training, Watkins said a new Community Emergency Response Team class will begin Sept. 22. The nationally recognized program includes basic response training such as fire safety, light search-and-rescue and disaster medical operations.

The 20-hour course is offered from 8 a.m. to noon on five consecutive Tuesdays. The public may sign up for training at semo.edu/cert/training.

If someone is interested but can't make the Tuesday dates, arrangements occasionally may be made for Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, Watkins said. More information on alternate arrangements is available by calling Watkins at (573) 339-6799.

"If you haven't done something, this is a good month to start," Watkins said. "And if you have a kit, then it's a good month to replenish, restock, review it and see what needs to be updated."

kwebster@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3646