September is National Preparedness Month

8/21/2012 11:41 AM EDT

I recently received a teaser from a company that provides backup services and they informed me that September is National Preparedness Month. I wonder if this is like Hallmark creating holidays and celebration days just so they make and sell cards for it? Anyways, CrashPlan has pulled together a list of tips to keep in mind when preparing your home and family for any emergency and I thought it would be good to share it with everyone.

Make a Plan

You never know when a disaster might hit.  You might not be with your family, so it’s important to have a plan in advance, and make sure every member of the family knows what to do in case of emergency.  This form will get you started.  Also, check with your employer or school to see what their plan is. If they don’t have one, volunteer to help them make one.

Turn Off Electronics

In any weather-related emergency it is important to spend time turning off the non-battery operated electronics in your household, like a television or computer. By shutting down and unplugging sensitive electronics, you help prevent damage that may occur during a lighting storm or power outage. However, it is not necessary to turn off water heaters or other gas appliances.

Portable Power

If a weather emergency were to occur, resulting in a power outage, then you will want to have a secondary source of power to charge cell phones and other electronics. Consider whether you might have need for a small generator to preserve food or climate. Even keeping an extra set of batteries in the house could be a priceless purchase.

Build a Kit

In a serious emergency or imminent natural disaster, it’s critical to have certain supplies (flashlight, potable water, first aid kit, etc.) set aside beforehand. FEMA has an excellent list of what should be in your Disaster Supplies Kit.

Don’t Forget your Four-Legged Family Members

Have a “Go” bag packed with a few days of food, some bottled water, any medicine your furry friends need, and a spare leash. Also, keeping an up-to-date copy of their immunizations is helpful if you need to board them in a new kennel that can’t access computerized records.

Backup Your Data

The best way to prevent data loss is to back up your computer on a regular basis. With an automated, cloud-based backup solution like CrashPlan+, your files are always protected. Even if you can’t get to your computer, you can access important files (like your Family Emergency Plan) on your mobile device. As for important paper documents that have not yet been scanned to your computer and backed up online, remember to keep birth certificates, passports, medical records and property titles locked up, and sealed in plastic.

For a complete list of ways to be prepared for any disaster, see the Department of Homeland Security’s web site for preparedness.