Do 1 Thing

Jeannie Nichols, Michigan State University Extension - December 03, 2014

The national program Do 1 Thing gives you easy to follow suggestions and tips on preparing now for a possible emergency or disaster.

Do 1 Thing is a national non-profit program designed to help you protect yourself and your family in an emergency or a disaster. Preparing for emergencies in small, manageable steps makes it easier to get started and commit to following through.

Each step is designed to help you prepare your home and the homes of your loved ones while still allowing you to proceed at your own pace. It is a 12 month program that offers easy and economical ways to become better prepared for just about any emergency situation.

Michigan State University Extension suggests that for more information on how to become prepared to visit www.do1thing.us, follow them on Twitter @do1thingus or like them on Facebook at facebook.com/do1thingcom.

Here is the list of the 12 Things (one each month) and the main goal for each month. At the Do 1 Thing website there is lots of information on each of the following steps.

January – Make a Plan: Understand what puts you at risk from disasters and take steps to lower your risk.
February – Water: Have enough water on-hand for your family to last three days.
March – Shelter: Know how to respond safely when instructions are given to evacuate or to take shelter.
April – Food: Have an emergency food supply that will meet the needs of your household for three days without outside help.
May – Work, school and community: Make sure the people who count on you are prepared for a disaster.
June – Unique family needs: Make sure your family has everything they need during a disaster.
July – Family communication plan: Have the ability to stay in touch with family members during a disaster.
August – Get involved: Make your community stronger by getting trained and getting involved.
September – Be informed: Make sure everyone in your household can receive, understand and act on information received in an emergency.
October – Power: Be able to safely meet your basic power needs during an electrical outage.
November – Emergency supplies: Remember important items that may be overlooked when leaving your home in a disaster.
December – Be prepared to give first-aid while waiting for an ambulance.

If you adequately prepare yourself and your family then you are free to help neighbors, first responders and your community during a disaster. In an emergency you are the only one who can guarantee the safety of yourself and your family. So, Do 1 Thing for yourself, your kids, your parents, your pets and your community.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).