Be Prepared

Are you ready for winter? Make sure you have all you need to prepare for Northern Michigan’s formidable cold season. You can find helpful tips here:

Make emergency planning a family affair! Kids should be involved and participate in family planning, so they have a clear idea of what to do in different situations. You can print a family communication plan for kids or parents to guide you through the things you should be considering. Kids can also help prepare an emergency kit for the family. Don’t forget about your pets!

There is an abundance of information out there to help you prepare for the unexpected. The point is that you find what works for your family and you DO IT! Remember, when a large unexpected event happens, it could take days for first responders to reach everyone affected. It is recommended at a minimum that you keep enough food and water for 72 hours for each member of your household. Keep in mind that many retail outlets keep costs down by having shipments delivered “just in time”- meaning they only keep enough on hand to make it to their next shipment. Shelves can be cleared out in a hurry and a large scale disaster or weather event can delay stores from receiving anticipated deliveries.