OHIO — September is National Preparedness Month, and the Ohio Department of Health is pushing for Ohioans to create plans for when disaster strikes.

What You Need To Know

  • ODH recommends residents download various apps, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency and American Red Cross

  • Counties have their own EMAs, but Ohio also has its own EMA which can help find emergency information, how to prepare for disaster and understanding the risks Ohioans face

  • ODH said it is vital for plans to be made ahead of time

  • To check Ready.gov's full list of recommended items for emergency preparedness kits, click here

ODH recommends residents download various apps, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency and American Red Cross, along with a local weather app to be notified of emergency alerts and severe weather. The department said some counties have emergency alert systems residents can register for which will send a text when disaster strikes. 

Counties have their own EMAs, but Ohio also has its own EMA, which can help find emergency information, how to prepare for disaster and understanding the risks Ohioans face.

"The foundation of preparedness is awareness," ODH said in a news release. 

ODH said it is vital for plans to be made ahead of time. The department recommends creating a communication plan with phone numbers of family, caregivers or other emergency contacts. Its recommended the information be kept in cell phones and in a printed out version with an emergency preparedness kit.

Emergency preparedness kits can vary depending on the needs of everyone who will rely on it. Seniors may need mobility devices, medications and assistive technology. Ready.gov has suggestions for creating kits with these people in mind including those who are deaf, blind, suffering from Alzheimers, or dementia, developmental disabilities and speech impediments. 

ODH recommends some general items for anyone's emergency kit including:

  • Several days' worht of water
  • Cash
  • Non-perishable food items
  • Cellphone chargers
  • Extra batteries
  • Radio
  • Flashlight

To check Ready.gov's full list of recommended items, click here.

"Keeping these things together and ready will save you from scrambling to collect items during moments when time is of the essence," ODH said in its release. "Having a kit ready to go will give you the peace of mind of knowing that no important items are forgotten."

ODH said for pets, talking with their veterinarian about developing an emergency plan, but some steps can be taken before disaster strikes. One step is making sure pets have clearly labeled ID tags with their owner's name and phone number. 

The department recommends keeping a photo of the pet and identifying pet-friendly locations in the case of evacuation.

"Nobody can predict when emergencies will happen, but everybody can be prepared," ODH said.