SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH!

How about it- Are you prepared?
No? Well, I won't judge you- I'm not either, but it's not for lack of information and admonishment! I would say it's more of an "It won't happen to me" attitude.

In fact, if I were an animal, I might look like this:

"Be Prepared." For as long as I can remember this is the counsel we have received. But it has only been since September 11, 2001, that September has been designated by the Federal Government as National Preparedness Month. Nine years - and the message has rippled across the country- we must be prepared for anything and everything.

The Red Cross plays a vital role in our nation's preparedness. They recommend keeping an emergency preparedness kit with at least three days (aka- 72 hr kit) worth of nonperishable foods, reviewing emergency escape plans with your family, and learning first aid and CPR.

(Have we heard this before?)

In a survey conducted by the Red Cross, 89 percent of people think being prepared is a good idea, but only 20 percent of those people have done anything about it.

For guidelines preparing your 72 hour emergency kits and for additional emergency preparedness information here are some websites you can visit:

American Red Cross - Prepare your home and family

72hours.org - lots of how to's and what if's

Ready.gov - Prepare, plan, stay informed

and remember -

The first 3 days are often the most crucial.

(The Presidential Proclamation can be read here)