September is Emergency Preparedness month. Let’s get ready. When was the last time you seriously examined how your preparations are going and how prepared you really are? This may be a good time to ask yourself some basic, and not so basis questions. Today I am hoping you will answer the following questions to help you focus or refocus your preparation. In a recent interview a church leader responsible for the refurbishing of the Salt Lake City Temple he stated with all the work done the temple would now be ready for when the earthquake comes, not if, but when. If we believe the scriptures and the prophets, we know it is not a question of if the trials and destruction is coming to our own homes and neighborhoods, it is when.

  1. Does your family have a meeting Place?
  2. Does your family have a fire escape plan?
  3. Have you rehearsed your escape plan?
  4. Does your family have an evacuation plan?
  5. Have you made evacuation assignments to each family member?
  6. Have you practiced your plan?
  7. Have you recently reevaluated your insurance policies?
  8. Do you have a first aid kit?
  9. Do you have a first aid manual?
  10. Do you know how to splint a finger, arm, leg?
  11. Do you have cash on hand in small bills?
  12. Do you have a Five-Day Kit for all family members?
  13. Do you have an auto kit in all vehicles?
  14. Do you keep your gas tank half full?
  15. Do you have a pet emergency kit?
  16. Have you created a phone tree with family and friends?
  17. Do you have an out of area contact?
  18. Have you mailed documents and other information to out of area contact?
  19. Do you have maps marked with several evacuation routes marked to your evacuation destination?
  20. Do you have an emergency radio?
  21. Does your family know how to turn off the water to the house?
  22. Does your family know how to turn off the gas into the house?
  23. Does your family know how to turn off the electricity to the house?
  24. Does your family know how to open the garage door in a power outage?
  25. Do you have a port-a-potty?
  26. Do you have chemicals and biohazard bags for the port-a-potty?
  27. Do you have a three-month supply of the foods you eat?
  28. Are foods stored safely?
  29. Do you have a plan for staying warm during a winter power outage?
  30. Do you have a plan for staying cool during a summer power outage?
  31. Do you have equipment and fuel to cook off the grid?
  32. Do you have water stored?
  33. Do you have a way to purify water?
  34. Do you have important documents copied?
  35. Do you have smoke detectors?
  36. Does a family member have a CPR training?
  37. Do you have an emergency communication plan?
  38. Does a family member know the Heimlich maneuver?
  39. Do you know what disasters are likely in your area?
  40. Have you subscribed to emergency notification systems?
  41. Do you know your community warning system?
  42. Do you know which radio and TV stations are the emergency broadcast providers in your area?
  43. Do you have emergency phone numbers posted by each phone?
  44. Do you have evacuation responsibilities posted?
  45. Have you cleaned your gutters?
  46. Are poisons and cleaning supplies secured?
  47. Are papers and oily rags stored outside of the house?
  48. Are propane tanks stored outside the house?
  49. Are furnace vents cleaned?
  50. Are doors and windows clear of obstructions for easy exit?
  51. Are flammable liquids stored outside the house?
  52. Have you pruned tree limbs that are dead or close to the house?
  53. Do you have a flashlight or other non-electric light source next to all bed.
  54. Do you have a whistle next to all beds?
  55. Do you have car keys next to your bed?
  56. Do you have a pair of sturdy shoes under your bed?
  57. Do you have a preparedness binder?
  58. Do you have fire extinguishers in your home?
  59. Do you have a fire extinguisher and fire blankets in your car?
  60. Does everyone in the family know how to use a fire extinguisher?
  61. Do you have a fire escape ladder for the second story of your home?
  62. Do you have a safe room in case of a disaster or home invasion?
  63. Have you done a home inventory?
  64. Do you have extra batteries?
  65. Do you have carbon monoxide detectors?
  66. Do you know how to save water during a drought?
  67. Do you know the signs and treatment of frostbite?
  68. Do you know the signs and treatment of seizures?
  69. Do you know the signs and treatment of snow blindness?
  70. Do you know the signs and treatment of heat related illnesses?
  71. Do you know the signs and treatment of hypothermia?
  72. Do you know the signs and treatment of dehydration?
  73. Do you know the signs and treatment of poisoning?
  74. Do you have the number for poison control posted?
  75. Do all family members know how to call 911 and what information to give?
  76. Do you keep your freezer full in case of a power outage?
  77. Have you discussed possible disasters in your area with your family?
  78. Do you know possible disasters in an area where you will vacation and what to do?
  79. Have you discussed possible disasters in their new area with children leaving for college?
  80. Do children leaving for college have Five-Day Kits and food storage in their dorm room or apartment?

Now that you have read through the list, print it. Mark the printed copy, crossing off items that are complete. Next, highlight items you can accomplish quickly, such as posting a list of important phone numbers or placing a flashlight next to your bed. With another color, highlight areas you will address in Family Home Evening and begin working on. Remember, even if you are single and living alone, you can take one night a week and plan and counsel with Heavenly Father. If you are single or a senior and meet as an FHE group, take the list and brainstorm with them. They need to prepare as well. Finally, highlight in a third color the questions you do not understand and areas where you need help. Reach out to your Elders Quorum, Relief Society, Ward, or Stake Emergency Preparedness Specialist for help. If you would like my help, please leave a message in the comments.

“And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order.” Mosiah 4:27

What is the prize? The Lord has told us, “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear” (D&C 38:30)