September is National Preparedness Month—an annual reminder to take simple, life-saving steps before disasters strike. This guide brings together the most searched preparedness topics—emergency kits, family plans, pet safety, hurricane readiness, and community training (CERT)—and shows how to turn them into a practical outreach plan your community will actually read and act on. (Ready.gov)
Why September Matters (and how to use it)
Every September, Ready.gov and partners spotlight preparedness actions you can promote locally—think “make a plan,” “build a kit,” “stay informed,” and “get involved.” Align your campaign calendar with their toolkits and social-ready messages to amplify reach. (Ready.gov)
Quick wins for outreach
- Repurpose Ready.gov social graphics and captions for email, SMS, and neighborhood apps. (Ready.gov)
- Theme each week (e.g., “Go-Bag Week,” “Family Plan Week,” “Pet Prep Week,” “CERT Week”) to keep messaging simple and focused. (Ready.gov)
Emergency Preparedness Checklist (Your “Go-Bag” essentials)
A well-packed emergency kit helps households shelter in place or evacuate fast. Start with the basics and tailor for likely local hazards. (Ready.gov)
Core items people search for and need:
- Water (1 gallon per person per day for 3+ days), non-perishable food, manual can opener
- Battery/hand-crank radio, flashlight, extra batteries
- First-aid supplies, medications, copies of important documents
- Multi-tool, whistle, masks, local maps, cash, phone chargers/power bank
- Hygiene items, sturdy shoes, seasonal clothing, blankets
- For infants/older adults/people with functional needs: specialized supplies, backup power plans, and labeled instructions
Adapt quantities for household size and consider separate car and work kits.
Outreach tip: Turn this list into a one-page printable or a 60-second checklist reel.
Family Emergency Plan (Know who does what, when, and where)
A plan prevents panic. Encourage households to: (Ready.gov)
- Pick two meeting places: one nearby, one outside the neighborhood.
- Choose an out-of-area contact everyone can text.
- Save evacuation routes and local shelter info.
- Practice—twice a year—just like a fire drill.
Outreach tip: Share a fillable template and ask residents to screenshot their finalized plan and save it in their phone’s favorites.
Pet Emergency Preparedness (Don’t forget furry family members)
Pet owners should pack a pet go-bag (food/water for 3–7 days, carrier, leash, vet records, photos, medications, comfort items) and know pet-friendly shelters or hotels along evacuation routes. (Ready.gov)
Outreach tip: Partner with local shelters and vets for a “Pet Prep Day”—free microchip checks + take-home pet kit checklist.
Hurricane & Severe Weather Readiness (Seasonal, high-interest topics)
If you’re in a hurricane-prone or storm-prone area, focus messages on:
- Know your zone (evacuation maps) and sign up for local alerts.
- Protect the home: clear gutters, trim trees, bring in outdoor items, elevate valuables.
- Power outage plan: refrigerators, medical devices, backup charging.
- After the storm: avoid floodwaters and downed lines; use generators outdoors.
Coordinate with NWS/Ready.gov seasonal toolkits to time posts before landfall windows. (Ready.gov, National Weather Service)
Include Everyone: People with Functional Needs
Craft messages and resources for people with disabilities and access/functional needs: backup power for medical devices, labeled medication schedules, transportation assistance, service animal plans, and personal support networks. Promote accessible formats (large print, screen-reader-friendly PDFs, captioned videos) in all outreach. (Ready.gov)
Build Community Capacity with CERT (Community Emergency Response Team)
Individual readiness is crucial, but trained neighbors multiply impact. The FEMA-supported CERT program teaches fire safety, disaster medical, search & rescue, and team organization—skills that help communities stabilize until professionals arrive. Promote a fall training cohort and recruit via schools, HOAs, faith groups, and businesses. (FEMA, FEMA Community Files)
Outreach tip: Host a “CERT Open House” during National Preparedness Month and showcase hands-on demos (fire extinguisher basics, cribbing, first aid).
Message Outreach Playbook (Use these channels + scripts)
1) SMS / Push
- “It’s National Preparedness Month. Take 5 minutes today: add water & batteries to your go-bag. Checklist: [short link].”
2) Email newsletter (weekly series)
- Subject: “This Week: Build Your Emergency Kit (+ Free Printable)”
- Body: 3 bullets + one action button (“Download Checklist”)
3) Social posts
- Carousel: “5 things your go-bag is missing”
- Reel: “60-second family plan walkthrough”
- Community Ask: “Reply with your out-of-area contact’s first name only to make it real.”
4) Offline
- Table toppers at libraries/rec centers
- QR codes linking to the kit list and local alert signup
Free/Low-Cost Assets to Reuse Now
- Ready.gov toolkits & graphics (English/Spanish + more): copy/paste posts and customize for local risks. (Ready.gov)
- Preparedness Calendar: slot weekly themes and partner events. (Ready.gov)
Example resources to hand out (keep the focus on education)
If you need ready-to-distribute materials that reinforce these actions, QuickSeries offers pocket guides you can share at community events—e.g., the Disaster Preparedness Pocket Guide, Emergency Preparedness for Pet Owners Pocket Guide, Family Preparedness Pocket Guide, Preparedness for Functional Needs Pocket Guide, Hurricane Preparedness Pocket Guide, and CERT Companion Guide for Advanced Operations. Use them as tangible takeaways that turn outreach into action.
Make September the month your community actually finishes its plan and kit. Share this guide, schedule weekly messages, and host a CERT open house. If you need clear, field-tested handouts to put in people’s hands, explore QuickSeries’ preparedness pocket guides (family, pets, hurricanes, functional needs, CERT and more) to support your outreach and trainings:
- Disaster Preparedness | Pet Owners | Family Preparedness | Functional Needs | Hurricane Preparedness | CERT (links above)