Preparedness Calendar

January
Test smoke alarm
Update important phone numbers
Order free credit report from Trans-Union www.annualcreditreport.com
Review home, life and car insurance
Replace heater filter as needed

February
Test smoke alarm
Copies of important documents
Put together an inventory of your home belongings and photograph them
Purchase extra seeds for planting and for storage
Replace heater filter as needed

March (Peak tornado season March-May)
Test smoke alarm
Update first aid kit (Motrin, children’s medicine, Pepto Bismal)
Plant garden http://www.providentliving.org/channel/0,11677,7809-1,00.html
Check tire pressure
Warmer weather, start exercising (walking, biking, swimming, soccer or new sport/hobby)

April (Earthquake Preparedness Month)
Test and replace batteries in smoke and CO2 detectors
Replace flashlight batteries
Order free credit report from Equifax www.annualcreditreport.com
Update 72 hrs kits with Summer cloths
Clear away brush from house for fire season
Check tire pressure
Earth Day (April 22)Find a location to recycle batteries 800-903-2227 or www.batteryroundup.com

May
Test smoke alarm
Purchase mosquito repellent for home (West Nile Virus)
Fill up extra gas tanks (hurricane evacuation or mowing lawn)
Pool season, never swim alone, never leave child unattended in pool or tub
Stock up on water, batteries, and food (gas too) in preparation for hurricane season
Check tire pressure

June (Hurricane season June 1 to Nov 30) Hurricane Safety
Test smoke alarm
Update important phone numbers
Prepare an evacuation kit/72 hour kit
Buy a fire extinguisher - set off fireworks where and when allowed
If told to evacuate….leave early
Check tire pressure
Going on vacation? Get car checked especially hoses, belts, tires and lights.
Going back to school? Get your student loan/grant papers submitted by June 30. http://www.staffordloan.com/ and http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

July
Test smoke alarm
Order free credit report from Experian www.annualcreditreport.com
Vaccinations (before school starts)
Check tire pressure

August
Test smoke alarm
Busiest month for West Nile Virus-use mosquito repellent DEET
Back to school sales – great time to buy cloths
Back to school, if the school evacuated, do your children know what to do, where to go and how to reach you or someone else?
Check tire pressure

September (National Preparedness Month) FEMA website
Test smoke alarm
Update 72 hrs kits with Winter cloths
Update first aid kit (Motrin, children’s medicine, Pepto Bismal)
Replace flashlight batteries
Put together a car kit
Hunting season – keep guns locked (check local police dept for free locks)
Know how to find light in the house (flashlights, candles)
Check tire pressure
Replace windshield wipers and tires with all season tires for winter

October
Test and replace batteries in smoke and CO2 detectors
Replace heater filter
Keep furnace area clear
Purchase K-1 fuel for indoor kerosene heater or propane
Check tire pressure, do you need new wiper blades?
Know how to turn off water (frozen pipes)
Halloween – flashlights/batteries on sale (stock up)
Know how to heat the house if there is no heat
Pull out shovels and buy salt

November (Winter Storm Preparedness Month)
Test smoke alarm
Thanksgiving – cooking supplies on sale (stock up)
Did you cook the turkey long enough and put the leftovers away in 2 hours or less http://www.gourmetspot.com/listturkey.htm
Avoid candles, keep out of reach from children, away from areas that they can be bumped and put on surface that will not catch fire
Icy roads, drive more cautiously
Replace heater filter as needed

December
Test smoke alarm
Flu shots http://www.cdc.gov/flu/
Tools on sale, buy a large cheap wrench, oil it, properly size it to the gas meter switch, then wrap it in plastic and tie it next to the gas meter (in the event of an earthquake and gas needs to be turned off)
Replace heater filter as needed