September is National Preparedness Month and the Dickinson-Iron District Health Department is urging everyone to plan ahead.

“In an emergency, your safety and the safety of your family may depend on decisions made in a few seconds,” said Jessica Perry, emergency preparedness coordinator at the DIDHD. “Be prepared — have a plan, have emergency supplies, remain calm, stay informed and be ready to act.”

The theme this year is “Take control in 1, 2, 3.” Emergency preparedness staff recommend everyone, especially older adults, to 1. assess their needs, 2. make a plan and 3. engage their support network to stay safe when disaster strikes.

Whether dealing with the possible threats of flooding, wildfires, power outages or other emergencies, the preparedness steps are the same, the DIDHD advised. They include —

— Knowing the risks where you live;

— Having an emergency plan in place;

— Practicing that plan;

— Putting together an emergency kit with water and non-perishable supplies to last for at least three days for all family members and pets;

— Ensuring that a contact list is up-to-date for people who may need to be reached during a disaster; and

— Establishing alternative methods of communication in case traditional means are not available.

Area residents are encouraged to participate in National Preparedness Month by doing a simple, specific action or activity to improve preparedness for both themselves and their family. For more information on how to be prepared, go online to http://www.ready.gov/ or http://do1thing.com/.

To learn more on how to prepare locally or schedule a preparedness presentation for a business, school, church or group, call Jessica Perry at the Dickinson-Iron District Health Department at 906-265-4156.