September Is Emergency Preparedness Month: Build a Kit, Make a Plan, Get Prepared
Tue, 09/01/2026 - 8:45am
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- September Is Emergency Preparedness Month: Build a Kit, Make a Plan, Get Prepared
- September is Emergency Preparedness Month, a timely reminder that emergencies can happen anywhere and often with little warning. Severe weather, power outages, flooding, fires, hazardous material incidents, and other emergencies can disrupt daily routines and make it difficult to access food, water, medications, or other necessities. Local public health encourages everyone to use September as an opportunity to prepare before an emergency happens.
- Build a Kit: One of the simplest ways to prepare is to put together an emergency supply kit. Keep enough supplies on hand to help your household manage for several days if normal services are unavailable. Your kit should include drinking water, nonperishable foods, a flashlight, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, and basic hygiene supplies.
- Remember to include items that are specific to your household. These may include prescription medications, infant supplies, pet food and water, eyeglasses, important documents, chargers or backup power sources, and items needed by older adults or people with disabilities. Store your supplies in a location that is easy to access and check them regularly. Replace expired food, medications, batteries, and other items as needed.
- Make a Plan: Having supplies is important but knowing what to do is just as important. Talk with your family or household members about how you will receive emergency information, where you will go if you need to evacuate, and how you will contact one another if you become separated.
- Choose an emergency meeting place near your home and another outside your community in case you cannot return home. Make sure everyone knows important phone numbers and consider keeping a written copy of contact information in your emergency kit. If you have children, older adults, pets, or household members who may need additional assistance, include their needs in your plan.
- Get Prepared: Preparedness does not have to happen all at once. Start with a few basic supplies, then build your kit and plan over time. Take a few minutes this September to identify the emergencies most likely to affect your community and learn how you will receive local emergency alerts and information.
- To learn more go to: ready.gov, North Country CHB’s or Beltrami County Public Health’s websites and choose emergency preparedness or visit Bemidji Now-Community Health tab.
- Being prepared helps reduce stress, protect your family, and strengthen your community. This September, build a kit, make a plan, and get prepared. A little preparation today can make a big difference when an emergency occurs
- Submitted by: North Country Community Health Services and Beltrami County Community Health Services- www.ncchb.org or www.co.beltrami.mn.us/services/public-health/ or find us on Facebook-North Country Community Health Services
- (Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard and Lake of the Woods Public Health)