As we move into September, when National Disaster Preparedness Month is held, American Red Cross' Annette Rowland offers tips on how you can prepare in case of weather emergencies in your area.
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00:00It's critical that people take this time and September is ideal because of National Preparedness Month.
00:05But think about those plans and go ahead and talk with your loved ones so you can protect them and get your household ready.
00:13Well, you're coming to us from Alabama, where, of course, no stranger to hurricanes from the Atlantic or into the Gulf.
00:18So what are some tips for residents in any of our hurricane danger zones?
00:24Well, hurricanes are very rarely convenient.
00:27I think we can all agree on that.
00:28And so it's important to plan your steps.
00:31And that looks like how are you going to stay safe?
00:34How are you and your family going to stay safe?
00:35What supplies do you need for your family?
00:39That could be personal documents, your passports, your driver's license, your deed to your home and knowing how you'll stay connected.
00:46So we really advise people that know where you're going to go, know what those evacuation routes look like and where you will evacuate to,
00:54how you're going to get there, whether that be car, whether that be public transportation.
00:57And then gather those critical supplies.
00:59So that's food, water.
01:01If you have any daily medications that you take, if you have children who may have special needs, make sure that that that plan is specific to your family.
01:10And lastly, you want to connect so you can check in on those loved ones and write down important numbers in case there's a power emergency or your phone dies,
01:18that you will you'll be able to call those people that you really want to contact.
01:22That is an excellent tip that lasted.
01:24I feel like growing up, you knew everybody's number.
01:26You could memorize it because there's only a handful.
01:28And now it's like, oh, I don't think I'd be able to get that number.
01:30All right. So what are some other things you can do now to prepare for other types of emergencies as we go throughout the rest of the fall and then eventually the winter season?
01:38Yeah, we recommend everyone downloading the free Red Cross emergency app.
01:42You can do that on the app store for Android or Apple, but you can set up real time alerts in multiple locations and you can get the information in English and in Spanish.
01:53And also, we really want to urge people to get those local emergencies.
01:58A lot of local EMAs right now have county emergencies that they set up.
02:02So we encourage everyone, if you are not signed up with your with your local municipality, please do that.
02:08I think it's a good idea with the multiple locations that can be really helpful, whether you have family, maybe kids are at college or you had vacation plans.
02:14Helpful to know kind of what the weather and situation is as well.
02:17All right. So the American Red Cross always there to help.
02:20How can our viewers help and even give and donate to the Red Cross?
02:24Yeah, it's really quick. You can go to RedCross.org.
02:27You can donate money, blood, time, or you can even sign up to take a class.
02:30That's something else you can consider doing.
02:32This Preparedness Month is taking a class learning CPR so you can be prepared during emergencies.
02:38But that really helps us be there for the thousands of people who are counting on us each day.
02:43Incredible different ways to give and donate, depending on who you may be and what you may have available.
02:48Lynette Rowland of the American Red Cross, thanks again so much for joining us on Accurately Early.