DETROIT (Sept. 3, 2024) – The American Red Cross Michigan Region is encouraging everyone to take critical action during National Preparedness Month this September to be ready for worsening disasters.  Extreme weather is becoming more frequent and intense due to the climate crisis and families are experiencing the effects. Home fires remain the nation’s most frequent disaster.

“Disasters can happen at any time, often without warning, changing lives forever in just minutes,” said Latoysa “Toy” Rooks, regional disaster officer for the Red Cross in Michigan. “It’s critical to help protect your loved ones and National Preparedness Month is the ideal time to get your household ready for emergencies.”

This year, experts forecasted more extreme weather like tornadoes and excessive heat that have impacted Michigan. The Red Cross led a disaster relief operation after tornadoes swept through Southwest Michigan in May. In the first eight months of 2024, the Red Cross has responded to more than 1,100 single-family and multi-family home fires across the state. 

Nationally, the U.S has experienced 19 climate disasters, each with losses of over $1 billion.  That’s more than double the average from the last 40 years.

“The best defense during an emergency is to be prepared, and that’s true for families and our communities,” Rooks said.

People can begin their emergency preparedness planning by following these steps:

1. Depending on the emergency, you may need to stay where you are or go somewhere else to stay safe. 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.
2. Gather and organize critical supplies – like food, water and medicines – into a go-kit and a stay-at-home kit. Your go-kit should include three days of supplies that you can take with you. Your stay-at-home kit should have two weeks of food and water, and a one-month supply of medications, if possible.
3. Customize your kit to meet your household’s specific needs. If you have young children, don’t forget formula and diapers. If you have pets, include leashes, carriers, food, bowls, litter and a litterbox.
4. 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 or add them to your cell
   phone’s contact list.
5. To protect you and your family in the event of a home fire, install smoke alarms on every level of your home and test them regularly. Talk with all family members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.
6. Download the free Red Cross Emergency app for real-time weather alerts and expert advice in both English and Spanish. And don’t forget to sign up for free emergency alerts from your local government to get critical information during local emergencies.

Visit redcross.org or call 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) to learn more.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Alicia Dorr, regional communications manager | 616-306-8040 | alicia.dorr@redcross.org

About the American Red Cross: 

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.