September is National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month, and EEI and our member companies encourage customers to be prepared for extreme weather events and other emergencies. With hurricane and wildfire seasons in full swing, now is the perfect time to assess your preparedness plans and to make sure your emergency outage kit is stocked and readily available.

Ready is a national public service campaign designed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to educate and empower all Americans to prepare for emergencies, and it leads the annual National Preparedness Month campaign. This year's theme is "Start a Conversation," which encourages families to set aside time when everyone is calm and relaxed to discuss preparation plans and ask questions. Learn more on the Ready website.

Here are simple tips to help you and your family stay prepared:

• Stock your emergency outage kit.
• Keep your cell phones and other electronic devices charged and available. Make sure you have extra batteries for flashlights and other devices.
• Have a hard copy of emergency contact information available.
• Register your cell phone number with your local electric company, and make sure your contact information is current so you can receive any status or safety updates the company might put out during an emergency.
• Be sure to follow your electric company on social media for real-time updates.
• Read EEI's flash flood, hurricane, tornado, and wildfire safety tips and learn how to prepare for power outages.
• Visit the Electrical Safety Foundation International website for more information on how to stay safe during and after disasters.