No one wants to even think about disasters, and preparing for even one might seem like an insurmountable task. However, doing your homework is worth the effort. National Preparedness Month is observed each year to raise awareness of its importance.

Disasters come in different forms. Hurricanes, ice storms, tornados, blizzards, floods, earthquakes, fire, and even cyberattacks can bring on a myriad of problems to deal with. 

The theme is “Prepare to Protect. Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love,” with a different emphasis each week:

• Make a plan
• Build a kit 
• Low-cost, no-cost preparedness
• Teach youth about preparedness

Where do you find the guidance you need? You can find helpful materials and resources in thirteen languages to learn how to prepare for disasters, how to know where to go, and how to stay informed at ready.gov. By thinking ahead, you can rest a little easier should you become an unfortunate victim of a disaster.