Preparedness Month

Each year during September, Michigan Prepares joins national, regional, and local governments, as well as private and public organizations in supporting National Preparedness Month. This 2019 theme was “Personal Health Preparedness.”  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified four different steps everyone can take to better prepare themselves for emergencies, one for each week in September. Below are the weekly themes, along with actions you can take to stay healthy and safe during emergencies.

Personal health preparedness is about having the wherewithal to care for and protect your health and wellness in the immediate aftermath of an emergency or disaster. That means having the supplies, skill, and self-confidence to bounce back from a difficult or life-changing event like a natural disaster.

Large-scale events, like hurricanes, can cause widespread destruction and long-lasting power outages, disrupt supply chains, and strain public health and health care systems.

When access to resources and the availability of services is limited, it is important to have an emergency supplies kit that includes items from the following categories:

• Personal needs
• Prescriptions
• Paperwork
• Power sources
• Practical skills

Help Spread the Word!

• Follow @MIPrepares, @CDCemergency, and @Readygov on Twitter for preparedness tips throughout each National Preparedness Month and the rest of the year. 

Additional 2018 Preparedness Month Information

• CDC Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response - www.cdc.gov/phpr/npm
• Ready.gov - www.ready.gov/september