Richmond, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - September is National Preparedness Month, and health care organizations are urging Virginians to make an emergency plan.
Unexpected emergencies or disaster situations can take many forms: national disasters, infectious disease outbreaks, property destruction or power outages. These events can cause serious illness or injury, as well as strain the health care system.
During National Preparedness Month, the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association (VHHA), the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) are urging people to create plans for emergency situations.
"Knowing that, unfortunately, these things are going to occur from time to time, we are encouraging people to make an emergency plan," says Julian Walker, Vice President of Communications at the Virginia Hospital and Health Care System. "To have some resources at the ready, to have a plan to evacuate if you need to, to have a plan to shelter in place, to have things like bottled water and flashlights and non-perishable food items."
An emergency plan should include a discussion about how family members will communicate during an emergency. Families should also have a list or form with information including important phone numbers, insurance contacts, and other key medical information.
Health care organizations also recommend having a stock of emergency supplies (water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, and a portable radio to access emergency alerts and warnings, and more).
More information on preparing is available on the Virginia Department of Emergency Management's website.
