Emergency Preparedness: It Doesn't Cost a lot to be Prepared
INDIANAPOLIS - Hoosiers can take some simple and inexpensive steps now to be more prepared, according to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS).
A disaster or emergency -- such as a winter storm, tornado or flooding -- may leave households without electricity, heat, or even clean running water, and cut off from local groceries and services or even from immediate response from police, fire or rescue personnel.
September is National Preparedness Month and officials from IDHS recommend Hoosiers turn awareness into action and adopt the goal of being self-reliant for at least three days, in the event of a disaster or other type of emergency.
"Being ready for a major disaster or emergency is very important. The basics of a kit can be put together without a lot of effort or money," said IDHS Senior Public Information Officer John Erickson.
Getting prepared doesn't have to cost a lot of money if you incorporate some of these easy emergency preparedness tips:
Statewide Online Survey
IDHS is gauging Indiana citizens' readiness for emergencies and disasters through a brief online survey. The outcomes of the survey will help the public safety community gain a greater understanding of how prepared Indiana residents are and how to help increase that preparedness.
The 10-minute online survey can be found on the IDHS website at www.in.gov/dhsunder the Featured Topics Section: "IDHS Citizen Preparedness Survey 2013."
"We hope that this survey will remind Hoosiers of the importance of being prepared and what they can do to improve their level of preparedness," said Erickson.
All who participate can enter a contest to win a free all hazards/weather radio. The survey is open today and will stay open until at least Friday, September 20, 2013. Individual responses will only be seen by IDHS staff, who will gather the data from the statewide survey.