Unless you live in an area with a recurring or recent history of disaster, you might not think about the possibility often. But severe weather can happen anywhere, even in regions where those conditions aren’t typical. Preparing for emergency can make a massive difference when one strikes. National Preparedness Month is observed to recognize the importance of planning ahead.

Each year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) chooses a different theme for Preparedness Month, and their Ready Campaign for 2025 focuses on the fundamentals of being prepared. The "Preparedness Starts at Home" campaign highlights four essential ways you can prepare for any disaster:

1. Know Your Risk

• Learn the climate conditions and disaster history of your region so that you know the likeliest events to prepare for
• Learn different types of disasters and the best ways to prepare for each
• When the conditions are right for extreme weather, make sure you're connected to up-to-the-minute information, such as local radio and TV stations that participate in Emergency Alert Systems (EAS) broadcasts, texts from your wireless provider, or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio

2. Make a Family Emergency Plan

• Learn how to put together a Family Emergency Plan tailored to your family's needs that incorporates essential considerations like emergency information sources, shelter plans, evacuation routes, family/household communication plans, and meetup locations in the event of separation

3. Build an Emergency Supply Kit

• Put together a to-go bag incorporating your family's needs far in advance of an emergency, so you have everything you need. This may include food, water, medication, first aid supplies, extra clothes, sanitation supplies, light sources, communication and signaling devices, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, tools, maps, filtration masks, and many other necessities

4. Get Involved in Your Community and Help Your Neighbors Prepare

• Consider taking first aid or emergency response classes so that you may be able to help your neighbors in case of an emergency
• Join a Community Emergency Response Team program, a resource to learn many different disaster response skills and to connect with and work alongside your neighbors
• Look into independent study programs such as CPR training with the American Red Cross or the courses at FEMA's Emergency Management Institute

As you're observing National Preparedness Month, don't forget to download the FEMA mobile app for weather alerts, safety guides, and resources