September is designated as National Preparedness Month, reminding everyone that preparing for emergencies and disasters can keep them, their families and their communities safe. The Clemson University Office of Emergency Management (OEM) encourages you to review your level of preparedness and ensure you are ready for an emergency or disaster.
As part of America’s 250th birthday celebration, this year’s theme for National Preparedness Month is Americans Stand Ready, celebrating and encouraging American resourcefulness and civic responsibility. When you take steps to prepare for disasters and keep your family safe, your neighborhood and your community are more resilient.
Be Informed
- Be weather aware and know what kind of disasters and emergencies are most common for where you live. Learn more about hazards that affect Clemson and the state of South Carolina on OEM’s severe weather page.
- Sign up for CU Alerts to receive emergency notifications for main campus or Clemson locations throughout SC.
- Have multiple ways to get emergency information, including NOAA weather radio, local TV and radio broadcasts and wireless emergency alerts to your phone.
- Download your favorite weather app to get weather alerts from the National Weather Service (NWS) and follow your local NWS station on social media.
Make a Plan
Know how you’ll contact your family or those living in your residence. Establish a meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find.
- Put a plan together by discussing the following with those living in your residence:
- How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
- What is my shelter plan?
- What is my evacuation route?
- What is my communication plan?
- Do I need to update my emergency preparedness kit?
- Consider specific needs for you and those living in your residence
- As you prepare, tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities. Be mindful of these factors when developing your plan:
- On-campus residential housing vs. off-campus apartment or house
- Different ages of members within your residence
- Locations frequented
- Dietary needs
- Medical needs, including prescriptions and equipment
- Pet or service animal needs
- As you prepare, tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities. Be mindful of these factors when developing your plan:
- Create an Emergency Plan
- Utilize the Ready.gov Make a Plan form to easily fill in contact info and other important information and send yourself a PDF to print and save digitally.
- Practice your plan with your family or those living in your residence
- Conduct or participate in fire and emergency evacuation drills.
- Replace stored water and food as necessary or in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations
- Test your smoke detectors monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.
Build a Kit
It is important to keep enough supplies in your residence to meet your needs for several days. Assemble an Emergency Kit with items you may need in an emergency or evacuation. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers such as a suitcase or duffle bag. Items to consider include:
- Water – one gallon of water per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation
- Food – non-perishable food for at least several days
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Prescription medications and glasses
- Important documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
- Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
For more information about personal preparedness and utilizing these steps, visit the preparedness section of OEM’s website.
