Though far from spring – the traditional time of renewal – the month of September also offers a similar fresh-start feeling! School is back in session, everyday routines return, and excitement around the upcoming cooler months inspires seasonal preparation.
What an excellent opportunity to assess what you already have –– and what you still need –– in the event of an emergency!
If you've been putting off your preparedness for any reason, consider this your sign to get started: September is National Preparedness Month.
This dedicated window offers the unique chance to consider the progress of your preparedness, from your food stores to your ability to respond to a crisis correctly.
But that's not the only reason September is among the best months to prioritize your preparedness –– keep reading to discover the other!
What's So Special About September?
Back in 2004, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) joined forces to officially designate September as National Preparedness Month.
In the aftermath that followed the 9/11 attacks, a pressing need arose to encourage proper emergency planning, clear communication strategies, and a general sense of self-reliance across the country.
And, being a time of transition from summer to fall, September poses a number of weather risks:
- Hurricane season, at least in the Atlantic, hits its high mark in the middle of September. Most of the worst storms hit between August and October –– Katrina arrived at the end of August, while Maria and Florence struck in September.
- When summer wraps up and autumn starts to show, the hot, dry, and windy weather frequently sparks late-season wildfires in the western states.
- September is the perfect time to prepare for the transition into winter, especially in the northern states.
Check Your Stock Before Building Your Stock
The first step –– before blindly buying all sorts of supplies for your stock, tempting as it may be –– is to take a quick look at what you've already got, both in your pantry and in your plan:
- Audit any food and water you've stored. Check expiration dates, especially on short-term, store-bought foods like canned vegetables and boxed pastas. Dump and replace old water. Consider incorporating more long-term canned foods into your stock.
- Make sure you can actually cook your food, too! If you don't have one already, add an outdoor or off-grid cooking alternative to your backup plan.
- Sift through your gear. Is your bug-out bag missing any vital elements? Could your first aid kit use an upgrade? Do you have a backup power source for when your power supply is cut?
- Verify the details of your disaster plan. Update any outdated information, like old phone numbers or addresses. Run through your evacuation plan to ensure it still works for your family.
This quick preparedness check will put you in a better buying position and prevent needless purchases!
Putting the “Present” in Preparedness
Preparedness does not need to happen all at once. In fact, that's a fairly unusual and unrealistic plan!
What makes the most sense is filling your preparedness gaps with thoughtful purchases at prices that won't leave you in a crisis.
This National Preparedness Month, our gift to you is Prepapalooza: the exciting preparedness shopping extravaganza! Pick one of your gaps to fill with price drops on essential supplies all September long. Prepare now before disaster strikes –– your future self will thank you!
Click here to shop Prepapalooza deals.
Check in with The Essentials Blog each week for expert education, tips, and resources to make your shift to self-reliance as smooth as possible!
