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Official website of the Department of Homeland Security

2019 National Seasonal Preparedness Messaging Calendar

The 2019 National Seasonal Preparedness Messaging Calendar and key messages provide content to help promote preparedness throughout the year. Please feel free to adapt topics to reflect hazards that can affect your local area, using this calendar as a guide. Emergencies can happen at any time.

Download the Ready 2019 National Seasonal Preparedness Messaging Calendar (PDF)

December 2018

January 2019

February

March

April

May

June

  • National Lightning Safety Awareness Week
  • National Insurance Awareness Day (June 28)

July

  • Fireworks and Summer Safety
  • Youth Preparedness Toolkit

August

September

October

November

Key Messages

General Preparedness

  • Make a family emergency plan, include pets and neighbors.
  • Make a communication plan so your family knows how to reconnect and reunite when a disaster strikes. 
  • Identify an out-of-town emergency contact who can let family and friends know where you are and how to reach you.
  • Get to know neighbors and check on them before and after a disaster.
  • Review insurance policies.  Make sure you’re covered against floods, earthquakes, tornados, or high winds in hurricane-prone areas.
  • Keep copies of important documents in a secure place (digital and/or waterproof location).
  • Build or restock your emergency preparedness kits for home, work and your vehicle, include a flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies, for adults and children.
  • Create an emergency savings fund and keep cash on hand for emergencies.
  • Download the FEMA App and set up local alerts.
  • Monitor radio, TV, or social media and follow instructions of local officials.
  • Share safety messages with friends, family, neighbors and colleagues.

Financial Preparedness

  • Personal financial planning helps families prepare for emergencies both big and small.
  • Plan for unexpected out-of-pocket expenses for lodging, food, gas and more.
  • Review your insurance policies and update your coverage if necessary.
  • Be prepared for the cost of deductibles for insurance and medical co-pays.
  • Complete an Emergency Financial First Aid Kit at Ready.gov.

Insurance Coverage

  • Protect the life you’ve built. Homeowners, renters and businesses recover more quickly when insured.
  • Having insurance for your home or business property ensures you will have the financial resources needed to help you repair, rebuild or replace whatever is damaged.
  • Keep your coverage for flood insurance, even if your mortgage is paid off. Get informed at FloodSmart.gov.
  • Flood insurance takes 30 days to take effect, so act now to protect your family. The time to buy is while it’s dry.

Life Safety Skills

  • Practice preparedness plans at least twice a year, at your home and workplace, by participating in a drill or exercise.
  • Take You are the Help Until Help Arrives training and a CPR and first aid class so you can help in an emergency until first responders arrive.
  • Know how to shut off utilities where you live.
  • Know all emergency exits in your home and at work, and where you visit often.

Flooding

  • Never drive or walk through flooded streets; Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
  • Check your flood insurance policy to ensure you have appropriate coverage.
  • Homeowners and renters insurance do not typically cover flood damage.
  • Just one inch of water can cause $25,000 of damage to your home.

Fire Safety

  • Put smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors on every level in your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
  • Know two ways out of every room in your home.
  • Create a home fire escape plan; practice it at least twice a year.
  • Choose a safe meeting place outside your home where firefighters can easily see you.
  • Don’t Wait, Check the Date – Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years.
  • Test smoke alarms once a month by pushing the test button.
  • When the smoke alarm sounds get outside and stay outside. Go to your outside meeting place.
  • Do not leave space heaters or fireplaces unattended.

Power Outage

  • Have alternative charging devices for phones or anything that requires power.  
  • Generators should always be used outside the home.  Carbon monoxide poisoning can occur when a generator is not working, or vented, properly.  

Earthquake

  • Practice “Drop, Cover and Hold On.”
  • Anchor heavy furniture to a secure wall in your home.
  • Text, don’t call.
  • Expect and prepare for potential aftershocks, landslides or a tsunami if you live on a coast.

WINTER

Winter Storm and Extreme Cold

  • Stay off the road during/after a storm.
  • Stay inside where it is warm and bring pets indoors. Extreme cold can be deadly.
  • Layer clothes to help you stay warm and change activities to stay safe.
  • When using space heaters, follow manufacturer’s directions.  Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from heaters and wood stoves.
  • Have a working carbon monoxide detector.

Holiday Safety

  • Prepare for unpredictable weather before traveling.
  • Water your tree every day. Turn off holiday lights when you go to bed or leave your home.
  • Keep candles away from anything that can burn.  Use battery operated candles instead.
  • If you shop online over the holidays, shop securely.

SPRING

Severe Weather

  • If ordered to evacuate, leave right away. Know the route ahead of time and plan where to go.
  • Know a safe location in your home in case there is a tornado.

SUMMER

Extreme Heat

  • Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Extreme heat can be deadly. Stay inside where it is cool.
  • Wear cool clothes and try to stay out of the heat for long periods of time.
  • Look before you lock. Never leave children, disabled adults, or pets in parked vehicles.

Wildfire Safety

  • Report a wildfire if you see one; you may be the first to see it.
  • Wildfires can kill. If ordered to evacuate, know the route and plan where to go.

  • Remove debris and keep anything that can burn at least 10 feet from your home.

Hurricanes

  • History shows that storm tracks can change quickly and unexpectedly. Monitor local news, weather and social media.

  • If local officials give the order to evacuate or shelter in place, take action to do so.

  • Storm surge and inland flooding pose a significant threat to life and property and can occur before, during or after the center of the storm passes through.

     

FALL

Children & Youth + Back to School

  • Help your children memorize emergency contacts or write them in a secure place.
  • Know the emergency plan for your child’s school, college, and child care facility.
  • Practice evacuation plans and other emergency procedures with children on a regular basis.