30 Days of Preparedness for National Preparedness Month 2025

September is National Preparedness Month, the perfect time to get prepared for disasters. From hurricanes to flooding and more, the Texas Gulf Coast Region is prone to no-notice events, and the time to get prepared is now. Being prepared can reduce your family’s anxiety over what to do during emergencies and can increase your resiliency following a disaster.

Even though getting prepared can seem overwhelming, it is easier to accomplish once you break it down into smaller, more manageable activities. Prepare for disasters by making a plan to stay safe, gathering important supplies and knowing how you’ll stay connected.

By taking on the following tasks throughout the month, you’ll be prepared before you know it!

1. We are starting you off with a big one – your emergency kits! That’s right, it’s important to have more than one kind of emergency kit. Depending on the emergency, you may need to stay where you are or go somewhere else to stay safe. It’s important to gather critical supplies — like food, water and medicine — and organize them into a go-kit and a stay-at-home kit. Your go-kit should include three days of supplies that you can carry with you. Include backup batteries and chargers for your devices (cell phone, CPAP, wheelchair, etc.) Your stay-at-home kit should have two weeks of food and water, and a one-month supply of medications and medical supplies. Customize your kit to meet your household’s specific needs. If you have pets, include leashes, carriers, food, water, bowls, litter, litterbox, pet vaccination records and photos of you with your pet in case you are separated. Include sturdy shoes to protect your feet from glass, a flashlight, a dust mask and a whistle in case you become trapped in debris after an earthquake.

2. Make your communication plan. Know how local authorities will contact you in case of a disaster, whether that is through local radio, TV or NOAA Weather Radio stations. Our usual technology access can be interrupted in a disaster – email or text messages may be more reliable than calling cell phones and it may be easier to reach someone out of the area. Pick a friend or family member outside of the area who each family member can call to check in and let them know you’re safe.  If you may need to evacuate due to a disaster, think about where you will go, how you will get there, where you will stay and what you’ll take with you. Plan well in advance if you’ll need help leaving or use public transportation. Don’t forget to include pets in your plans. Make a plan to reconnect with loved ones if you are separated or if the phone or internet is down. Stay informed by monitoring local weather and news reports even if the power goes out. Have a backup battery or another way to charge your cell phone, and a battery-powered or hand-crank radio. Visit redcross.org/Prepare for more tips on how to create your communication plan.

3. Know your risks. Do some research on what disasters occur most commonly in your area. Learn what to do before, during and after each type of disaster and share the information with everyone in your home. Visit redcross.org/HazardMap to see what emergencies could occur near you.

4. Sign up to receive emergency notifications on your cell phone.  Sign up for free emergency alerts from your local government (sometimes referred to as a reverse 9-1-1 system), and make sure you know what different types of alerts mean. For example, a WATCH means be prepared, and a WARNING means take action.

5. Learn about disaster preparedness for people with special needs or disabilities. When an emergency occurs, mobility challenges and hearing, learning, or seeing disabilities can add complication. The Red Cross offers practical advice on getting informed, making a plan, assembling emergency kits, and keeping your plans up to date.  People with and without disabilities, as well as those in their support networks, may benefit from our tips about managing communications, equipment, service animals, pets and home hazards.

6. Become CPR certified and know how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). Register for a class by visiting redcross.org/TakeAClass. Some classes are blended with online and in-person class time to reduce the amount of time away from home.

7. Fill your gas tank…and don’t let it get too low. You never know when a disaster will strike and if it may inhibit your ability to refill your gas tank – long lines, lack of fuel or structural damage could all be obstacles. Don’t get stranded away from your family or have trouble evacuating because you don’t have enough gas to get you where you need to be.

8. Put preparedness in the palm of your hand. Download the free Red Cross Emergency App for access to localizable weather alerts, preparedness checklists, a shelter locator and more. Available in English and Spanish, the app also provides step-by-step tips on what to do next if a disaster is occurring in your area. You can find the Emergency App by searching for “Red Cross” in your phone’s app store, by visiting redcross.org/Apps or by texting “GETEMERGENCY” to 90999.

9. Create an emergency escape plan with your family so everyone knows where to go during and after an emergency like a home fire or a hurricane. Download family disaster plan templates from redcross.org/Prepare. Make sure that each family member knows two ways out of each room (usually through a door and an accessible window) and practice evacuating with you children, pets and your “go kit” emergency kit. Figure out where you can safely reconvene. Escape plans should be able to be executed in two minutes or less, so take 10-15 minutes to walk through your home with your family and talk about the plan – then take two minutes to practice!

10. Commit to fire safety habits in your home. Practicing fire safety habits make a home fire less likely, so be sure to never leave candles unattended, always stay near the stove/oven when cooking and make sure that appliances are plugged directly into wall outlets. Fix or replace frayed extension cords, exposed wires, or loose plugs. Visit redcross.org/HomeFire for additional fire safety tips. And remember, smoke alarms help save lives!

11. Purchase a fire extinguisher for your home and know how to use it. An extinguisher rated “A-B-C” is recommended for home use. Many fire extinguisher models are designed for one-time use and cannot be recharged. Get training from the fire department or a fire extinguisher manufacturer. Fire extinguishers from various manufacturers operate in different ways and there is no time to read directions during an emergency. Only adults should handle and use extinguishers. Click here for more fire safety equipment and usage tips.

Following these simple steps in advance can help you be better prepared to face emergencies. Being prepared may not prevent a disaster, but it will give you confidence to meet the challenge.