For Immediate Release

Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Andover Health Department Reminds Residents of National Preparedness Month

ANDOVER – The Andover Health Department is reminding residents that September is National Preparedness Month and would like to provide the community with a number of tips on preparing for various emergency situations.

National Preparedness Month is meant to educate communities on planning, staying safe, and communicating during disasters and emergencies that could affect where we live, work, or visit. The recurring theme is “Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.”

“Reminding residents to be proactive with emergency plans for themselves and their family is vital in order to be safe in any emergency situation,” said Thomas Carbone, Andover Health Director of Public Health. “Whether it’s preparing for a power outage or a blizzard, residents should plan together in advance so that everyone in the household understands where to go and what to do.”

In order to ensure preparedness and safety for all, the Andover Health Department encourages residents to follow these tips provided by The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):

• Be Informed. Sign up for emergency alerts and call 2-1-1 for information about critical health and human services available in your community. Andover residents can sign up for emergency alerts through the town’s CodeRED system here.
• Assign roles. Communicating with family members is essential to make sure everyone is okay. Discuss with your family what should be done in case of limited cell phone service. Assign a mutual contact out of the region or state so that person can help keep tabs on you and your loved ones.
• Make a Plan. Make plans with your family and friends in case you’re not together during an emergency. Discuss how you’ll contact each other, where you’ll meet, and what you’ll do in different situations. Read how to develop a family disaster plan here.
• Be Prepared. Every home should have a basic emergency preparedness kit that can be used for any emergency. Store your kit in an area that is dry and easy to get to. Review your kit every six months to identify and replace outdated supplies. While some items should be in everyone’s kit, it is important to adapt the kit for the needs of you and your family. Find guidelines about what to include in your emergency preparedness kit here.

Additionally, Carbone reminds pet owners to be prepared to evacuate with their animals. If you must evacuate with pets, be sure to bring items your animal will need including a crate or carrier, food, water, rabies/immunization records, medications, license and an identification tag along with a harness or leash. 

For more information about National Preparedness Month and how to prepare for emergencies, residents can visit Ready.gov.

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