Get Ready During National Preparedness Month with Tips and Tools to Keep You Safe During Any Emergency

September is National Preparedness Month, which encourages people to be prepared in case of natural or man-made disasters. 

“Emergency preparedness is the process of taking steps to ensure safety before, during and after a disaster or emergency,” said Prince William County Emergency Management Specialist Kelcey Johnson. ”It can include plans for both natural disasters – such as earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, and blizzards – and man-made disasters.  The objective is to be prepared for any emergency and to respond safely and effectively if one occurs.”  

Since emergencies can often come without warning, the Prince William Office of Emergency Management encourages county residents to take the month of September to prepare for an emergency by building an emergency kit, making an emergency preparedness plan, signing up for emergency alerts to keep you informed when a disaster happens, and learning a lifesaving skill. 

The first step in being prepared in the event of an emergency is to build your emergency kit. Emergency kits should include non-perishable food and one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, at least 14 days of prescription medication, a battery powered or hand-cranked radio, a first aid kit, flashlights with extra batteries, a cell phone charging cable and battery pack, and other necessities.  

Planning ahead is key to being prepared. So when creating your plan, you should consider how to contact and reconnect with family in case of separation, know the types of disasters that affect Prince William County, communicate with neighbors on how to react and work together during an emergency, and address individual family needs, such as infants, elderly people or pets. 

“Make sure every member of your family knows all critical phone numbers and keep both digital and hard copies in all your emergency kits and on you,” Johnson said. “Establish a family meeting place that's familiar and easy to find. Identify one in your neighborhood and one outside your neighborhood, in case you cannot return home.” 

Further preparation for emergencies can include writing a communications plan and signing up for local emergency alerts such as PWC Alerts to stay informed. PWC Alerts is the county's notification system that allows you to receive news and updates via phone calls, text messages and emails. You can also find emergency information on the Prince William County Emergency Management Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) social media pages.    

Learning a new skill, such as hands-only CPR and bleeding control, using a fire extinguisher, or knowing how to turn off utilities safely, can also be valuable and help you be prepared in an emergency. 

“Being prepared means taking proactive steps to safeguard yourself and your loved ones before, during and after any emergency,” said Johnson. “By building a comprehensive emergency kit, creating a detailed plan and staying informed through alerts and training, you’re not just reacting to a crisis—you’re ready for it.” 

For more emergency preparedness information, visit pwcva.gov/ready.