News Flash

With the peak of hurricane season approaching, Forsyth County Emergency Management officials are encouraging residents and businesses to review and discuss their emergency plans and update their emergency supply kits. Gov. Roy Cooper has proclaimed August as North Carolina Preparedness Month. Advance preparation is the key, says Emergency Management Director August Vernon. 

“Emergencies can happen anytime and are often not predictable,” Vernon said. “Whether it is a man-made emergency or weather event, residents can prepare by making a family emergency plan and having an emergency supply kit. Residents and businesses should assemble emergency supply kits, then make and rehearse plans for where to go and what to do if a disaster strikes. The plan should include details about where to meet, how to get in touch with one another, evacuation plans, what to do with pets and how to notify employers/employees after an emergency.

“Knowing what you are going to do and practicing your plan will help you and your family to respond quickly in an emergency,” Vernon said. “It will also help you to recover faster should a disaster affect your home.” 

Emergency kits should have items needed for survival regardless of the emergency, including a manual can opener and enough non-perishable food and a gallon of water per person per day to last three to seven days. Other essential items include: 

• Hygiene items such as toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, masks and anti-bacterial wipes or gel
• Weather radio and extra batteries 
• Cell phone with power pack charger 
• First-aid kit and book
• Flashlight and extra batteries 
• Wrench or pliers to turn off water
• Sleeping bag or blanket, one per person 
• Prescription medicines, glasses and hearing aids 
• Changes of clothes and sturdy shoes 
• Extra house and car keys 
• Copies of insurance papers and identification sealed in a watertight plastic bag
• Fire extinguisher
• Cash and change 
• Books, games or playing cards

        More information on overall emergency preparedness can be found online at ReadyForsyth.org or ReadyNC.org. To receive the most recently updated information, “like” ReadyForsyth on Facebook or “follow” ReadyForsyth on Twitter.