Small ways to get prepared every day in September! 

September is National Preparedness Month, the perfect time to get prepared for disasters. From earthquakes to wildfires and more, Southern California 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 relatively easy to do 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!

September 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. Since Southern California experiences earthquakes, organize a bed kit with everything you may need if an earthquake happens when you are sleeping. 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. Click here to learn more about what you should have in your kits, or use the free Red Cross Emergency App to make a list of the items you need pick up on your next errand run. If you already have your kits assembled, make sure no items are expired, missing or in short supply.

September 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. Write down important phone numbers on a contact card and carry it with you in case you run out of cell phone battery and need to use someone else’s phone. Plan to 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.

September 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. Those who live near canyons will want to be prepared for wildfires, coastal residents may want to learn about tsunamis and those who live near rivers should read up on floods. Visit redcross.org/hazardmap to see what emergencies could occur near you. Everyone in our region should know what to do during an earthquake, wildfire, home fire and more. Click here to learn how to prepare for 23 different emergencies.

September 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.

September 5 – Clear your property of wildfire risks. This means clearing the area of dead or dry vegetation and combustible items and creating defensible space around your home. Remove dead and dry plants that could fuel a fire, as well as fallen leaves and other dry plant material. Be sure to cut your grass regularly or start the switch to drought-friendly or fire-resistant landscaping. Click here for more resources to help you create defensible space around your home. The local Red Cross also offers free 30-minute wildfire safety visits, where a team will visit your home, discuss personalized wildfire safety tips for your property and more. Click here to learn more or request a free wildfire safety visit. 

September 6 – Download our wildfire safety checklist and review with members of your household. Our handy wildfire safety checklist includes tips on what to do before, during and after wildfires. Click here to download in English and click here to download in Spanish. Checklists are also available in Arabic, Burmese, French, Hakha Chin, Polish, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese. Visit redcross.org/wildfire to view the checklists in multiple languages.

September 7 – 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. Click here to learn more.

September 8 – 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. Get started now – register for an upcoming class and do your online portion of the class today! Click here to learn how to perform hands-only CPR.

September 9 – Put flashlights and batteries in several places around your home. If the power goes out after an earthquake or any other disaster, you’ll be able to grab a handy flashlight to safely make your way through your home. 

September 10 – 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.

September 11 – Put preparedness in the palm of your hand. Download the free Red Cross Emergency App for access to localizable severe 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.

September 12 – Create an emergency escape plan with your family so everyone knows where to go during and after an emergency like a home fire or an earthquake. 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 (i.e. a neighbor’s driveway or other landmark). 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!

September 13 – Prepare your pets.  In an emergency, your pets will be even more dependent on you for their safety and well-being. Your family’s disaster plans should include your furry family members too. Learn what to do to keep your beloved pets safe! Find more information at redcross.org/pets.

September 14 – Create mini-disaster kits for your car and workplace. Stock each kit with a flashlight and extra batteries, first aid kit and cell phone charger (with car adapter for your car kit) or external battery pack. Have some bottled water handy and keep some non-perishable food within reach. For your car, make sure you have paper maps in case cell service, GPS or internet access is down, a tire repair kit, jumper cables, flares, a white distress flag, and a comfortable pair of walking shoes. Visit redcross.org/prepare or check out the Red Cross highway safety resources page for more information.

September 15 – Check for earthquake safety within your home. Have a professional make sure your home is securely anchored to its foundation and provide recommendations for strengthening exterior features, like porches, decks, sliding glass doors, canopies, carports and garage doors. Anchor items in your home, such as lighting fixtures, to make sure that nothing breaks during an earthquake. Bolt and brace water heaters and gas appliances to wall studs. Do not hang heavy items, such as pictures and mirrors, near beds, couches and anywhere people sleep or sit. Anchor top-heavy, tall and freestanding furniture such as bookcases and china cabinets to wall studs to keep these from toppling over. Visit redcross.org/earthquake to learn more about what you can do to prepare yourself and your home before an earthquake.

September 16 – 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! Visit SoundTheAlarm.org/SoCal to request a free smoke alarm installation from the Red Cross.

September 17 – Walk through your house and push the TEST button on each of your smoke alarms. Make sure there is a working smoke alarm in each bedroom and in any living areas or hallways, away from kitchens and bathrooms that can set it off by steam from showers or cooking. Replace old or dead batteries – or better yet, purchase new smoke alarms that have built-in batteries that last for 10 years. If there are kids in your home, involve them in testing the smoke alarms, teach them what a smoke alarm sounds like and what they should do if they hear it. Click here for more information about fire safety for kids. The Red Cross also offers free smoke alarm installations through our Sound the Alarm program. Visit SoundTheAlarm.org/SoCal to learn more or to request a free smoke alarm installation from the Red Cross.

September 18 – Talk to your children about disasters. Disasters often strike quickly and without warning. They are frightening for adults and can be traumatic for children. Your family may have to leave home and change your daily routine. Be prepared to give your children guidance that will help reduce their fears. Click here for resources and tips for talking with children about disasters. Prepare with Pedro is a Red Cross educational program designed to help young children learn more about emergencies and prepare for disasters. Click here to learn more about this great program, and access free Prepare with Pedro storybooks, videos, supplemental activities and more. Prepare with Pedro is available in English and Spanish.

September 19 – Practice what to do during an earthquake – DROP, COVER and HOLD ON! Practice looking for places to seek cover under during an earthquake when you are at any location, including work or at your child’s school. Doorways are not the most reliable so make sure that you take shelter under a sturdy piece of furniture or another reliable area. Move as little as possible and try to protect your head and torso. If you are in bed, stay there, curl up and hold on, and cover your head. If you're in a vehicle, pull over to a clear location and stop. Avoid bridges, overpasses and power lines, if possible. Stay inside with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops. Mark your calendar to take part in next month’s 2024 Great ShakeOut on Thursday, October 17 at 10:17 a.m. Visit redcross.org/earthquake or check out the free Red Cross Emergency App for more earthquake preparedness tips.

September 20 – 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.

September 21 – Meet your neighbors! Connect with people in your immediate neighborhood and community to discuss what everyone can and should do in case of an emergency. Find out if any of your neighbors may need assistance evacuating in the case of an emergency, especially if they have mobility challenges or do not have their own transportation.

September 22 – Find a safe place to keep insurance policies, documents and other valuables so they will not get damaged. Consider purchasing a fireproof and waterproof safe to keep these documents protected in your home. While you’re at it, create a “Digital Disaster Kit” – scan all your important documents onto a USB drive that you can tuck into your emergency kit. You may need quick, easy access to these documents in the event of an emergency.

September 23 – Volunteer with the American Red Cross. As you prepare for disasters, the Red Cross is preparing too. We encourage people to join us by volunteering in their local community. A variety of positions are available, including many volunteer positions that help the Red Cross respond to wildfires and other local disasters. Learn more about urgently needed volunteer positions at redcross.org/volunteer. You’ll learn even more about how to be prepared yourself as you’re helping others prepare, respond or recover.

September 24 – Help prepare older adults. Some people, including older adults and those with mobility challenges, may need extra attention during an emergency - planning ahead is crucial. Being prepared and ready before and during an emergency will greatly impact one’s ability to help and be helped during an emergency or disaster. Click here for a preparedness checklist for older adults. Click here for a preparedness booklet for older adults.

September 25 – Make your evacuation plan. If you may need to leave, 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. Do you know two ways out of your neighborhood? What would you do in the event of a road closure? Do you know where you will go if you must evacuate? It could be a to a friend or family member’s house, but also make sure you know how to find an open shelter. You can locate open Red Cross shelters using the free Red Cross Emergency App or by visiting redcross.org/shelter and by looking for official announcements on the news and social media. Don’t forget to include pets in your plans. Make sure to evacuate with your pets and make plans for any livestock as well. If you think you may have to evacuate, gather pets to one room so you can quickly grab them and go. And, be sure to park your vehicle in the direction of escape. If you feel unsafe…don’t wait, evacuate!

September 26 – Prepare your workplace. Is your workplace prepared for an emergency? The free American Red Cross Ready Rating™ program is a first-of-its-kind membership program designed to help businesses, organizations and schools become better prepared for emergencies. Click here to learn more.

September 27 – If you’ve made it this far, you’re close to prepared by now, so it is time to share your knowledge. Talk to at least one other person today and tell them how they can get prepared. Guide them on what steps to take and what resources they can use to be safe. 

September 28 – Help your community be prepared by donating blood. Every day, blood donors help patients of all ages: accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those battling cancer. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood – and in the event of a disaster or emergency, it is the blood currently on the shelves that helps save lives immediately. If you are feeling healthy and well, visit RedCrossBlood.org to schedule an appointment to donate blood in the coming days and weeks.

September 29 – Make social media work for you. Social media is a quick source for information in the event of a disaster. Follow reputable accounts like local news stations, law enforcement and fire departments (including Cal Fire) and official government channels for your area. Be sure to follow the Red Cross Southern California Region on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.

September 30 – End National Preparedness Month by testing your knowledge and taking inventory of what you’ve learned during our 30 Days of Preparedness! Test yourself! Can you agree with these statements?: 1) I know what emergencies or disasters are most likely to occur in my community. 2) I have a family disaster communication plan and have practiced it. 3) I have emergency kits. 4)  At least one member of my household is trained in first aid and CPR/AED. 5) I have taken action to help my community prepare.

Congratulations! Following these simple steps in advance can help you weather a crisis safely and comfortably. Being prepared may not prevent a disaster, but it will give you confidence to meet the challenge.