September is National Preparedness Month

The earthquake and hurricane that hit the East Coast within days of each other at the end of August are reminders that emergencies can occur anytime, anywhere and in any combination.

Just how prepared are you and your family for these and other calamities? Do you have a basic emergency supply kit? Do you have a plan for contacting family members in case of an emergency?

September is National Preparedness Month. It’s a time to encourage Americans to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and communities.

Develop a plan to suit your family’s unique needs. To get started, use the tools at http://www.ready.gov/.

USPS encourages all employees to follow three steps to prepare for potential emergencies at home:
-- Stock a supply kit with items needed to survive an emergency.
-- Make a family plan ahead of time to know what to do during an emergency.
-- Be informed about potential emergency situations that could occur.

Employees also need to be familiar with their facility emergency plan if something happens at work. Call the USPS National Employee Emergency Hotline — 888-363-7462 — for the latest information on the operating condition of your facility.