One Thing Wednesday: Who Counts on You?

DEM Blogger

May 20, 2015

The Do 1 Thing site won the Awareness to Action category of FEMA’s 2014 Individual and Community Preparedness Awards. It’s a 12-month program of small steps that you can take to increase your personal and household preparedness. Throughout 2015, DEM will feature Do 1 Thing items during our weekly blog post series of One Thing Wednesdays. Check back here every week for a new preparedness activity or tip!

Our theme for May is community. This month, we’ll look at aspects of preparedness outside the home for ourselves and our friends and family.

If you’ve been following us for a while, you’re probably well-prepared (right?). You’ve made a family disaster plan and built home and vehicle emergency kits for yourself. But what about the important people in your life who may not be able to prepare on their own – or who don’t follow us as closely as you do? Are they ready for an emergency when you aren’t there with your plan and gear?

Make sure each member of your household is familiar with your plan. Get everyone to help with seasonal kit maintenance so they get hands-on experience in using your equipment. Listen to their opinions of it, too – sometimes a piece of gear that’s perfect for you may not work well for everyone else.

If you have friends or relatives who could use some preparedness help, offer it to them. Give them a copy of your plan and talk through the process you went through to develop it. Show them your kits, demonstrate how each item works, and explain why you selected it. Talk to them about disasters that could occur in Lexington (or wherever else they live, work, or attend school). Make sure their preparedness measures meet their specific needs. For example, if someone takes prescription medicine, include a list (or laminated card) of medications, dosages, and contact information for the prescribing doctors.