September is National Preparedness Month, a month dedicated to encouraging Americans to prepare for emergencies. The month is a great time to take small steps to make a big difference in being prepared for all types of potential disasters — but most top-of-mind here in Florida: Hurricanes.
For hurricane season, the key to staying safe is preparing in advance. Every year, supermarkets are swarmed with customers stocking up on water, toilet paper and other essentials at the last minute.
What if we planned ahead and purchased these items throughout the year? This way, we could avoid the last-minute scramble and be better prepared for any emergency.
Here are a few tips to help you prepare for disasters:
Have an evacuation plan
If your city orders an evacuation, do you know where you’ll go? Make sure you have a plan for where you can stay, whether it’s with family, friends or in a safe shelter. Consider planning your evacuation route now, before the threat of a storm.
Emergency funds
If you need to stay in a hotel, do you have the funds set aside for it? An emergency fund is essential to cover unexpected costs, whether it’s for lodging, transportation or food. Start saving a small amount each month to build a cushion for emergencies.
As you develop your emergency plan, it is important to consider your budget. Habitat Orlando & Osceola is here to help you financially prepare. We provide free one-on-one financial and housing counseling to support you with financial management and budget planning. Learn more here.
You can also attend our free educational classes, which covers the basics of budgeting, saving, and credit. We also offer classes focused on home maintenance and preservation tips. Learn more and sign up here.
Stock your pantry throughout the year
Instead of waiting until a storm is on the horizon, keep your pantry stocked year-round with non-perishable items like canned goods, water and other essentials. This way, you’ll always be prepared and won’t need to scramble for supplies when disaster strikes.
Buy toiletries in bulk
Consider purchasing items like toilet paper and paper towels in bulk on a regular basis if it’s feasible. Keeping these items in stock year-round will reduce the stress of trying to find stores with available inventory when a storm is approaching.
By taking small steps to prepare throughout the year, you can be ready for hurricane season and reduce the anxiety that comes with last-minute preparations.