Make and Practice Your Plan During National Preparedness Month

National Preparedness Month (NPM) 2018 begins on Saturday, September 1.

This year’s theme is Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How. Each week will highlight tips and steps to take an important preparedness action. The theme for the first week of NPM, September 1-8, is Make and Practice Your Plan. Learn how with steps from the Ready Campaign:

Take action this September to prepare your family, organization, or community. Register your preparedness activity and participate in the National Day of Action on September 15. You can find more resources, including the NPM social media toolkit, at www.ready.gov/september.

Grill Safely This Summer

Keep your Summer barbecue fun and safe with tips from the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). The USFA recommends the following grilling tips for preventing burns, controlling flames outside, and cleaning up afterward:

• Only use your grill outside. Keep it away from siding and deck rails. • Wear short sleeves or roll them up when cooking on the grill. • Open your gas grill before lighting. • Use long-handled barbecue tools. • Keep a three-foot safe zone around grills, fire pits, and campfires. This will help keep kids and pets safe. • Never leave your grill, fire pit, or patio torches unattended. • Clean your grill after each use, including removing grease that can start a fire. • Place the coals from your grill in a metal can with a lid once they have cooled.

For more information on fire prevention and first aid for burns during the summer months, visit the USFA Summer Fire Safety page.