HOME SAFETY COUNCIL® SUPPORTS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH

Council Launches New Initiatives Encouraging Families to Better Prepare for Emergencies

The Home Safety Council (HSC) has joined the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Citizen Corps as a coalition member to promote the third annual National Preparedness Month during September. HSC, a national nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., will launch a host of programs to increase awareness about the importance of family emergency preparedness and urge people across the nation to take the simple actions needed to prepare for emergencies at home, work or school.

During National Preparedness Month, HSC will distribute information to help families across the nation prepare for emergencies. Through HSC's efforts, families will learn to be better prepared by taking actions like having an emergency supply kit, making a family emergency plan, and staying informed about the threats that may impact them within or outside the home.

In support of National Preparedness Month, HSC will launch a number of educational programs including:

• “Get Ready with Freddie” – The Home Safety Council’s free home safety education program will be distributed to 13,000 schools starting this fall. Produced in partnership with leading education publisher, Weekly Reader, the “Get Ready with Freddie” program teaches children to work with their families to prepare for unexpected emergencies. Complete with an eight-page activity book and DVD on disaster preparedness in English and Spanish, students in grades three and four join Freddie to develop a communications plan and assemble “Ready-to-Go” and “Ready-to-Stay” kits.
• The Great Safety Adventure® Traveling Exhibit – The Home Safety Council’s award-winning field trip on wheels visits schools and Lowe’s stores in local communities across the country. In September, The Great Safety Adventure will display National Preparedness Month banners and distribute disaster preparedness materials at all events to raise awareness among adults, caregivers, and children, while teaching them to take the simple steps needed to make their homes safer.
• Easy-To-Read Resources and Support – Highly illustrated preparedness materials designed specifically to reach adults with lower reading skills are available online through www.homesafetyliteracyproject.org.

For additional information on the Home Safety Council’s preparedness programs, visit www.homesafetycouncil.org.

About National Preparedness Month

National Preparedness Month 2006 is a nationwide effort sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to encourage Americans to take simples steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, and schools. National Preparedness Month events and activities are voluntary. For more information or to become a National Preparedness Month Coalition Member, visit www.ready.gov.