Yednock Emphasizes Importance of Emergency Preparedness Plans for National Preparedness Month

OTTAWA, Ill. – To ensure residents are ready for any emergency or disaster that could happen at any time, state Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, is highlighting National Preparedness Month.

“Unfortunately, you can never predict when a disaster will strike, but you can ensure you are ready to handle the challenges that come along with an unexpected emergency,” said Yednock. “As we continue to see natural disasters happening throughout the Nation, now is a good time to look at our own plans and make sure we are ready for anything.”

National Preparedness Month is recognized every September as a time to promote family and community disaster and emergency planning. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) is encouraging Illinoisans to take the time to prepare for potential emergencies with the following tips:

• Make a Plan for When a Disaster Strikes: Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters (tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, etc.) could affect your area, and know how you will contact one another or reconnect if separated. Consider establishing a central meeting location and how you will connect if technology services are down.
• Build a Kit: Once a disaster strikes, you will not have time to shop or search for supplies, so it’s important to have supplies pre-assembled. A kit should contain basic survival items necessary during an emergency, such as food, water, weather radio, batteries, medication, and supplies for each member of your family, including pets. It is also recommended that you include face masks, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes in your emergency supply kit to address the current COVID-19 environment.
• Prepare for Disasters: Learn how to make your home stronger in the wake of a storm or other hazards by implementing low-cost home improvement projects.
• Teach Youth how to Prepare for Disasters: Get kids involved in building their own emergency kit. Make sure to include your child’s favorite stuffed animals, board games, books or music in their emergency kit to comfort them in a disaster.

“For more resources on how to best prepare for any emergency, I recommend checking out IEMA’s website,” continued Yednock. “Preparing for emergencies can save lives, and I highly encourage everyone to have a plan in place for when disaster strikes.”