September is National Emergency Preparedness month. The best time to prepare and organize for an emergency is before it happens. Did you know only 1 in 10 American households have taken appropriate steps to be prepared in an emergency? You don’t want to be stranded after a disaster with nothing ready. At Betty Brigade we are giving you some simple tips to be organized and ready in case of an emergency.Fail to plan, plan to fail. This is crucial when it comes to an emergency. It’s hard to think straight when you’re trying to do something fast.

• Come up with a plan ahead of time and get the whole family involved, so everyone can learn the plan together.

• Talk about it while driving to soccer practice or over your family dinner.

• Print out the plan and have one in readily accessible places, such as in your car and your kids’ book bags.

Have a stash of emergency supplies. By having simple supplies such as coats, shoes, and flash lights, a first aid kid, water, and canned foods (don’t forget the can opener).

• Make sure that it is near an exit and easily accessible in case you need to vacate you house.

• Make sure you have enough food and water for 3 days

• Keep all of these things together you’ll be able to find all of your stuff quickly

• Store these things in areas like your garage, mudroom, or coat closet

Keep a folder of all vital records, especially if you are the one in charge of the household finances.

• Keep a list of all the banking, birth certificates, social security cards, and utility information

• Keep this in a fire and water proof case

• Make sure you keep updating it as time goes by

By being prepared ahead of time for an emergency can be the line between getting out safely and being trapped in a disaster. Make sure to follow these tips to keep your family safe.

Sharon McRill is owner and president of The Betty Brigade, moving and organizing company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The company provides moving coordination and organizing assistance, mostly catering to busy professionals. Laid off from a corporate marketing job, McRill launched The Betty Brigade in 2003, now has a staff of 10. Visit www.bettybrigade.com for more information.