04Jan / 2023

Resolve to Be Ready, Part II

A calendar with the year 2023 circled in red marker.

January is the time many of us make resolutions for the new year. Sometimes resolutions feel too big and long drawn out. As a result, our motivation to see them through can peter out before the end of the year.

Last year, we suggested 12 micro-resolutions to help you prepare your health for emergencies. Here are a dozen more ways to resolve to be ready this year.

January

Be prepared to prevent data loss. Data loss happens more often than you might think.

This month’s micro-resolution is to back up your important files. These include medical records, financial documents, family photos, and emails. Save at least one extra copy of your files to an external storage device or the cloud. This ensures you can still access the information if the original is lost, damaged, or destroyed.

February

February is National Canned Food Month. Canned goods are an emergency preparedness staple. And for good reason. They are reasonably affordable, require little to no preparation, and have a long shelf life.

As often as people buy and cook with canned goods, some can find food labels confusing. This month’s micro-resolution is to improve your food label literacy. One way to do that is to get the FoodKeeper app to help you maximize the freshness and quality of the items in your emergency food supply.

March

Severe weather, including tornadoes, can happen at any time of year. They are, however, more likely to happen in most places during the spring months(1)

This month’s micro-resolution is to take a SKYWARN® Storm Spotter Program class. You’ll learn:

Basics of thunderstorm development
Fundamentals of storm structure
Identifying potential severe weather features
Information to report
How to report information
Basic severe weather safety

Classes are free and open to the public.

Storm spotters are volunteers. They help keep their local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service.

April

April is National Financial Literacy Month.

Developing a habit of putting money aside—even if it is a small amount—is the easiest way to develop an emergency fund and build financial resiliency. Without savings, the financial shock of an emergency could affect you, your family, and your community.

This month’s micro-resolution is to download and fill out the “Your Disaster Checklist” (available in multiple languages). Use it to help you keep track of account numbers, valuables, medical information, and more.

May

May 5 is World Hand Hygiene Day. Effective handwashing is a practical skill that you can easily learn, teach to others, and use every day to help prevent the spread of illness and disease.

This month’s micro-resolution is for parents and caretakers. Teach the children in your care when and how to wash their hands.

June

June is Pet Preparedness Month. It’s also the start of the Atlantic hurricane season. What better time of year to practice evacuating with your pet:

Train your pets to get in and stay in their carriers by making it a comfortable place.
Take your pets for rides in a car like one you would evacuate in.
Know where your pet might hide when stressed or scared. Practice catching your pet, if needed.

Have your entire family practice evacuating with your pets so everyone knows what to take, where to find the pets, and where to meet.

July

Most locations in the contiguous United States will experience their hottest day of the year between July 15-31.(2) Hot weather—regardless of when it happens and how long it lasts—can cause heat-related illness.

This month’s micro-resolution is to learn the symptoms of heat-related illness what to do if someone shows signs of heat stroke, exhaustion, or cramps.

August

August 20 is National Radio Day. Radio is one of many ways you can stay informed before, during, and after an emergency. Other ways include local television, social media, and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs).

WEAs look like text messages. They are designed to get your attention with a unique sound and vibration repeated twice. This month’s micro-resolution is to check the settings on your mobile device to make sure you are receiving WEAs.

September

September is not just National Preparedness Month. It is also National Self-Care Awareness Month. Emergencies, including disease outbreaks and natural disasters, can cause increased stress. You and others might feel fear, anxiety, and other strong emotions. It’s important to take care of your family and friends, but it should be balanced with care for yourself.

This month’s micro-resolution is to find one small way each day to care for yourself. Yours might include:

connecting with friends and family. Talking with people you trust about your feelings and concerns can relieve stress.
showing kindness to others. According to researchers, helping others release hormones that boost your mood and wellbeing
practicing relaxation techniques like meditation and deep breathing exercises. Relaxation techniques can help slow your breathing, lower blood pressure, and reduce muscle tension and stress.

October

October is Health Literacy Month. People need information they can find, understand, and use to make the best decisions for their health every day. The same is true during an emergency when there’s usually an increase in the amount of information and speed at which it comes out.

One thing you can do to improve your health literacy is to ask questions of healthcare professionals. For example, your pharmacist is trained to help you manage and improve your health every day. They can give you patient-centered answers to questions on many topics, including emergency preparedness. Ask your pharmacist these questions the next time you visit the pharmacy.

November

Winter is coming. It may arrive in some parts of the country before the month end.

This month’s micro-resolution is to prepare your car for winter. Now is a good time to equip your vehicle with a roadside emergency kit. Winterize your ride with the following items:

Food and water
Ice scraper and a folding shovel
A flashlight and batteries
Car and portable chargers for your cellphone
First-aid supplies
Winter clothes, blankets, and sleeping bags
Road flares
Jumper cables

December

December is Hi Neighbor Month. Neighbors can be an important source of assistance in the hours, days, and weeks after an emergency. Because they live close—maybe even next door—neighbors might be your first and best option for help after a tornado or during a power outage.

This month’s micro-resolution is to find a way to get involved with your neighbors. Ways to get involved include

offering to help your neighbors, especially people who are older, live alone or with a disability, or rely on electricity-dependent equipment, prepare for emergencies.
involving trusted neighbors in your emergency action planning.
joining an organization active in disaster, such as your local Medical Reserve Corps Unit or Community Emergency Response Team.

Resources

Public Health Matters: Resolve to Be Ready
Resolve to be Ready Social Media Toolkit (FEMA)

References

Thanks in advance for your questions and comments on this Public Health Matters post. Please note that CDC does not give personal medical advice. If you are concerned you have a disease or condition, talk to your doctor.

Have a question for CDC? CDC-INFO (http://www.cdc.gov/cdc-info) offers live agents by phone and email to help you find the latest, reliable, and science-based health information on more than 750 health topics.

05Jan / 2016

Prepared Penguins: Tips for a Safe and Healthy Winter

By: Kathryn Landis

Don’t get caught winging it! Follow these tips for a safe and healthy winter.

As the temperatures get colder, make sure you know how to stay warm. Wear warm winter clothes and plenty of extra layers, and listen for radio or television reports of travel advisories issued by the National Weather Service.

Play it Safe Outdoors

Unfortunately, we don’t have downy penguin coats to keep warm. When going outside, do not leave areas of the skin exposed to the cold. Learn to recognize the symptoms of hypothermia and frostbite.

When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up your body’s stored energy. The result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature. Body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia particularly dangerous because a person may not know it is happening and won’t be able to do anything about it. Victims of hypothermia are often elderly people with inadequate food, clothing, or heating, babies sleeping in cold bedrooms, and people who remain outdoors for long period.

Warnings signs of hypothermia include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, and drowsiness. If you notice any of these signs, take the person’s temperature. If it is below 95°, the situation is an emergency—get medical attention immediately.

Visit CDC’s Outdoor Safety page for more information

Driving in a Winter Wonderland

Driving in severe winter weather can be dangerous and lead to accidents. Be sure to prepare a winter emergency kit for your car. Include blankets, a flashlight, a shovel, an ice scraper, water and snacks, and a first aid kit. Make sure your car is serviced and has a full gas tank before a storm. Consider signing up for an all-weather driving course in your area to practice winter driving skills, and know what to do if you ever become stranded in your car.

Stay Warm and Save $$$

Huddling is great, but may not be enough to keep you warm when winter weather hits. Learn how to prepare your home for winter weather and save on your electricity and heating bills. Insulating walls and attics, and putting weather-strips on doors and windows keeps heat inside and maximizes warmth.

Handle Heating Equipment Safely

When you need to warm up, take proper precautions and review instructions before handling heating equipment and fires. Have your heating system serviced by a qualified technician every year. Make sure fireplaces, wood stoves, and other combustion heaters are properly vented to the outside. Never leave children unattended near a space heater. Learn more by reading CDC’s Indoor Safety Guide.

Don’t Forget Your (Other) Furry Friends

If you have pets, make sure to bring them indoors. If you cannot bring them inside, provide adequate shelter to keep them warm and make sure they have access to unfrozen water.

Stay Chill around Ice

Walking on ice is dangerous and can cause serious falls on driveways, steps, and porches. Use rock salt or sand to melt the ice on driveways and sidewalks.If walking on ice can’t be avoided, walk like a penguin! Bend your back slightly and point your feet out – this increases your center of gravity. Stay flat-footed and take small steps or even shuffle for more stability. Keep your arms out to your sides to help balance.

Support Each Other

Although it’s best to not leave the nest when severe winter weather hits, maintain your support network by checking in with family, friends and neighbors. Your neighbors might need extra help before and after a winter storm, so check in to make sure everyone is okay and has adequate heat. Use CDC’s PSAs and Podcasts to help spread winter preparedness messages. We’re all in this together!

Know how to prepare your ‘nest’ for upcoming winter weather using CDC’s Winter Weather Checklists.

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22Dec / 2015

A man examines the teeth of a 10-month-old Alaskan Malamute…

A man examines the teeth of a 10-month-old Alaskan Malamute puppy near the South Pole, 1957. Photograph by David Boyer, National Geographic Creative

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05Feb / 2015

11 Winter Weather Tips : As Told by Adorable Dogs

Don’t be stuck in the dog house by not preparing for winter weather. Whether it is avoiding frostbite or heating your home safely, make sure you know how to prepare for and handle winter weather.

1. Winter weather can be hair-raisingly unpredictable.

Unusual weather can hit at any time. That’s why it is important to be prepared for all types of weather emergencies. Take actions to prepare for winter weather before a storm impacts your area.

2. Be sure to dress properly for winter weather.

When temperatures drop, it is important to dress warmly, wear plenty of layers, and stay dry. Try to stay indoors when the weather is extremely cold, especially if there are high winds. If you have to go outside, be sure to practice winter weather outdoor safety.

3. Avoid exertion.

Winter is a great time to stay in and cuddle. Cold weather puts an extra strain on the heart. If you have heart disease or high blood pressure, follow your doctor’s advice about shoveling snow or performing other hard work in the cold. If you have to do heavy outdoor chores, dress warmly and work slowly.

4. Prepare your car for winter weather.

No one wants to ride unprepared. Always have an emergency kit in your car with supplies you can use if your car breaks down. Prepare your car for winter by following CDC’s guidance.

5. Heat your home safely.

As these guys know, fire can be scary. Not knowing how to safely heat your home or use a wood stove, fireplace, or space heater can be dangerous. Take time to learn about safe ways to heat your home and find more important winter weather indoor safety tips.

6. Create a Support Network.

Even if your support network is not as cute as this one, it is important to have one. Having a support network of family and friends to help you during an emergency is very important. Check on your neighbors, and help older adults and the disabled shovel snow for safe walking paths. Use these CDC eCards to invite your friends and family to join your support network.

7. Know how to spot, avoid, and treat Frostbite and Hypothermia.

Even with a fluffy coat of fur you could be at risk for frostbite or hypothermia in severe winter weather. Know the signs and how to avoid frostbite and hypothermia by following CDC’s Safe and Healthy Winter Weather guidance.

8. Take care of your pets.

Pets get cold too! During cold weather bring your pets inside, even if they don’t want to go. As you prepare your home for winter weather, take special measures to care for your pets, make sure they have adequate shelter and access to unfrozen water.

9. Tips for coping with severe weather.

Coping with severe winter weather can be tough. Learn how to manage the stress and emotions of dealing with severe weather or a catastrophic event and how to maintain a healthy state of mind.

10. Avoid ice.

Ice can be extremely dangerous. Many cold-weather injuries result from falls on ice-covered sidewalks, steps, driveways, and porches. Keep your steps and walkways as free of ice as possible by using rock salt or another chemical de-icing compound. Sand may also be used on walkways to reduce the risk of slipping.

11. Stay inside during severe winter weather.

When winter weather hits, find a comfy spot and try to stay inside. Staying indoors during extreme cold can help reduce the risk of car crashes, falls on the ice, hypothermia and frostbite. It’s also much cozier.