ALBANY, NY — September is National Preparedness Month, and the Eastern New York Region of the American Red Cross urges everyone to protect their loved ones by getting their households ready now.

So far this year, local volunteers have responded to several rounds of flooding, power outages and other damage caused by severe storms. We’re in the midst of hurricane season and, looking forward, winter storms are the most common disasters here.

“National Preparedness Month is a great time to ask whether your family would be ready if something unexpected happened tomorrow,” said Kevin Coffey, Regional Chief Executive Officer, Eastern New York Region. “It’s not about being scared; it’s about being smart and looking out for the people you love. Taking a few simple steps now so that you have a plan can make all the difference when it matters most.”

Get ready

Disasters don’t wait for the “right time”—they can happen in the middle of the night, during your commute or while your kids are at school. Protect your family by making a plan to stay safe, gathering important supplies and knowing how you’ll stay connected by taking these steps:

Stay safe: Depending on the emergency, you may need to stay where you are or go somewhere else to stay safe. If you might need to leave, think about where you’ll go, how you’ll get there, where you’ll stay and what you’ll take with you. Plan well in advance if you’ll need help leaving or use public transportation.

Organize: Next, gather and organize critical supplies—such as food, water and medicine—into a go-bag and a stay-at-home kit. Make sure to include backup batteries and chargers for your devices (cell phone, CPAP, wheelchair, etc.), a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, and critical personal records. Your go-bag 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. 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.

Reconnect: Finally, 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.

The workplace too 

National Preparedness Month is also the perfect time for businesses, schools and organizations to take stock of their emergency readiness.

For example, the American Red Cross Ready Rating program is a free, self-paced tool that helps organizations measure and improve their ability to respond to emergencies. Whether it’s severe weather, fire or unexpected disruptions, being prepared can make the difference between quick recovery and long-term setback.

Preparedness isn’t just about protecting your own operations—it’s about safeguarding employees, customers, students and the community you serve. A ready organization can bounce back faster, help stabilize the local economy, and keep critical services running when they’re needed most. Visit ReadyRating.org.

Red Cross solutions

 Download the free Red Cross Emergency app for weather alerts, safety steps for different emergencies and expert advice in both English and Spanish. Sign up for local government emergency alerts to get critical local information—such as evacuation notices—during an emergency.

People can also help their community be better prepared for disasters by giving blood, taking a class in lifesaving skills such as CPR, or becoming a Red Cross volunteer. Visit redcross.org or call 800/RED CROSS (800/733-2767) to learn more today.