



1. Sign up for READYPhiladelphia emergency alerts. Receive important emergency information via text, email and/or voice message by signing up for OEM's emergency alerts



2. Introduce yourself to a neighbor. Neighbors are usually your first responders in emergency situations. Introduce yourself to a new neighbor and exchange important contact information so that you can look out for each other if an emergency occurs.



3. Test your smoke alarms. When was the last time you tested your smoke alarms? They should be tested at least once a month. If you don't have smoke alarms, call 311 and the Philadelphia Fire Department will install them for you.



4. Take an inventory of your non-perishable, emergency food. Do you have 3 days worth of emergency food for your household? Any food in bags, boxes, cans or jars is great for emergencies and won't go bad if the electricity goes out. If you're running low on food in your emergency kit, consider adding a few boxes of cereal to your next shopping list.



5. Review your emergency plan with your household, friends, and family. Share your plan with anyone that cares about you. Need help getting started on your emergency plan? Find a household emergency plan template



(BONUS) Forward this email to someone else. Help prepare your entire community by forwarding this important information on to your friends, relatives, and neighbors.



These are just a few simple steps you can take this busy September to celebrate National Preparedness Month! For more preparedness tips, visit our website at September is a BUSY time of year. Vacations are over, students are headed back to school and it's National Preparedness Month! Keeping your hectic schedule in mind, here are 5 steps that take less than 5 minutes each to help you become more prepared for emergencies this September.Receive important emergency information via text, email and/or voice message by signing up for OEM's emergency alerts HERE. Neighbors are usually your first responders in emergency situations. Introduce yourself to a new neighbor and exchange important contact information so that you can look out for each other if an emergency occurs.When was the last time you tested your smoke alarms? They should be tested at least once a month. If you don't have smoke alarms, call 311 and the Philadelphia Fire Department will install them for you.. Do you have 3 days worth of emergency food for your household? Any food in bags, boxes, cans or jars is great for emergencies and won't go bad if the electricity goes out. If you're running low on food in your emergency kit, consider adding a few boxes of cereal to your next shopping list.. Share your plan with anyone that cares about you. Need help getting started on your emergency plan? Find a household emergency plan template HERE . Help prepare your entire community by forwarding this important information on to your friends, relatives, and neighbors.These are just a few simple steps you can take this busy September to celebrate National Preparedness Month! For more preparedness tips, visit our website at www.phila.gov/ready

Your neighbors,



Emma Giardina and Lynn Fisher

Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management