September is National Preparedness Month, and in recognition of that, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office would like to encourage residents to evaluate their emergency kit, and if they have none, get one.

Suggested items for an Emergency Preparedness Kit include:

• Water – at least 1 gallon daily per person for a minimum of three days
• Food- at least enough non-perishable packaged or canned foods, utensils, juices to last three days
• Manual can opener
• Blankets, pillows, etc…
• Clothing
• First Aid Kit
• Hygiene items, Moisture wipes
• Flashlight, Radio, NOAA Weather Radio and replacement batteries
• Fuel
• Prescription medications
• Pet care items
• Important documents safe place

In this part of the country, severe weather and other events can occur in a moment’s notice, so it is important to have these supplies ready to go.

Because those events can also cause complications and delays for emergency responders, residents are encouraged to plan to be self-sufficient for a period of 72 hours.

For more information on how to prepare, you can go to www.ready.gov.