September is National Preparedness Month: What Does That Really Mean for Us?

September is here, and with it comes National Preparedness Month. You’ve probably heard the phrase before, but what does it actually mean for everyday life in our community? At Sierra Wave Media, we hope to simplify this for everyone. It’s a reminder for all of us to take a little time to get ready for the unexpected.

We all know emergencies don’t send a calendar invite before showing up. Around here, that could mean wildfire smoke rolling in, a big storm knocking out the power, or even something as simple as a family member needing help in a hurry. The whole idea behind this month is: if we think ahead now, we’ll be calmer, safer, and more confident when life throws us a curveball.

So what can we do?

• Talk it out. Have a quick family chat about what you’d do in an emergency. Where would you meet? Who do you call first? Jot it down and stick it on the fridge.

• Gather the basics. Put together a “just in case” kit—water, snacks, flashlights, a first aid kit, any medications you rely on, plus a little something for the pets.

• Stay in the know. Sign up for local alerts, and know which channels—radio, text, or apps—will get you the right info when it matters most.

• Check it yearly. Peek in that kit once in a while. Swap out expired food, update phone numbers, and keep it fresh for your family’s current needs.

• Lend a hand. Preparedness isn’t just about you—it’s about neighbors too. A quick check-in during an outage or helping someone pack a go-bag can go a long way.

At the end of the day, being prepared doesn’t mean living in fear—it means being ready to take care of yourself and help your community when things get tough. National Preparedness Month is simply our yearly nudge to do a little prep now, so when the unexpected comes, we’ve got this.