Change Your Clocks. Check Your Stocks.

 

 

 

As we “spring forward” for Daylight Saving Time, Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department encourages residents to use this seasonal reminder to review their emergency preparedness supplies and home safety devices.

Spring severe weather season in Southwest Nebraska can bring tornadoes, high winds, flooding, and power outages. Taking a few minutes now to prepare can make all the difference later.

 

Check Your Emergency Stockpile

Make sure your kit contains at least a three-day supply of essentials:

 

• ✔ One gallon of water per person per day (don’t forget pets)
• ✔ Nonperishable food
• ✔ Manual can opener
• ✔ First-aid kit
• ✔ Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• ✔ Flashlights and lanterns
• ✔ Extra batteries
• ✔ Whistle (three blasts is a universal distress signal)
• ✔ Prescription medications
• ✔ Battery-operated or solar cell phone charger

 

If you don’t have space or budget for everything at once, start with the basics and build your kit over time.

 

 

 

 

Replace Batteries & Check Alarms

“Changing your clocks is not only a great way to remember to check your stocks, it’s also an important reminder to replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors,” says Kay Schmidt, Emergency Response Coordinator for Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department. “We have resources available for anyone wanting to build or expand their preparedness kit.”

 

 

 

Stay Informed

 

• Visit Ready.gov for emergency kit checklists.
• Download the FEMA app for weather alerts and disaster resources.

For assistance building your preparedness kit, contact Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department at 308-345-4223.