Fall is here in Kitsap County and with the changing of the temperatures and kids going back to school, September is also National Emergency Preparedness Month.

This is the time of year to think about how we would respond to an emergency or disaster and decide, are we prepared? If the answer is no, don’t worry. The Office of Emergency Management is here to help.

So grab a pen and paper, and maybe a pumpkin spiced latte, because here are some low cost/ no cost emergency preparedness tips to get you started.

  • Know what kind of emergencies to plan for

    Do you live in a flood zone? Are you at risk for a Tsunami? Enter you address HERE to find out. Use the search bar to enter your address and then choose the hazard you’re interested in under the Table of Contents.

  • Create your family emergency communication plan.

    It’s important to know how to reach each other in an emergency. Ready.gov has a free template HERE.

  • Store you phone numbers

    Make sure you store those important phone numbers somewhere safe. Write important numbers down and store them somewhere other than in your cell phone.

  • Emergency Alerts

    Signup for Emergency Alerts to receive life-saving information during a disaster.

  • SUN Alerts

    Sign up for SUN Alerts for local Suquamish information.

  • Build your emergency kit over time

    You can start with items you already have in your home, like flashlights, extra batteries, copies of important documents, and non-perishable food. Then, each time you go to the grocery store, you can pick up 1-2 extra items (especially if it’s on sale). Community food banks are a good option for those that are food insecure to stock up on emergency supply kits too.

  • Talk with your family and your neighbors

    about where you will go if you need to evacuate. Can you help each other? If you have Elders in your neighborhood, check with them too.

  • Store important documents

    like birth certificates and enrollment papers in a safe place.

  • Smoke Alarms

    Have you checked the batteries in your smoke alarm lately? They should be checked every 6 months.