New Jersey Department of Health and Office of Emergency Management Remind Residents to Prepare and Stay Healthy During National Preparedness Month

TRENTON, NJ - As the State of New Jersey recognizes National Preparedness Month, the New Jersey Department of Health reflects on the measures taken at all levels of government to safeguard residents and highlights the steps that New Jerseyans can take to keep themselves and their families healthy while preparing for any emergency.

"As we've seen with the extreme weather so far this year, unexpected emergencies can affect our communities in significant and far-reaching ways," said Health Commissioner Dr. Raynard E. Washington. "Being prepared for all types of emergencies can help reduce their impact and save lives."

"There are everyday, commonsense steps that you can take to keep your loved ones and communities safe and healthy," said Health Commissioner Dr. Raynard E. Washington. "We know that health-related emergencies-from natural disasters to communicable diseases- are not experienced evenly across our communities and can be mitigated with preemptive and preventative measures."

The State Health Department's Division of Disaster Preparedness, Resiliency and Emergency Medical Services works closely with the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM) and with county and local officials throughout the year to ensure residents are safe before, during, and after emergency events.

"Preparedness is a shared responsibility, and the work we do before an emergency is critical to protecting the health and safety of New Jersey residents," said Jeanne Hengemuhle, Acting Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police and Acting State Director of Emergency Management. "Our state, county, and local partners work together year-round to prepare for emergencies, coordinate resources, and make sure residents have access to timely and reliable information. We encourage every New Jersey family to take those same proactive steps at home by making a plan, building an emergency kit, staying informed, and knowing where to turn for help when it is needed."

Plan Ahead

Regardless of the emergency, it is important that you have an emergency plan. Emergency plans are important to create and practice regularly with your friends, family, or household members. Plans should be made for various emergencies like home fires, power outages, flooding, extreme weather events, and more. After creating your emergency plan, also consider making an emergency kit, keeping your electronics charged, and checking that your prescriptions are up to date.

In the event of an evacuation, know your evacuation route and bring your emergency kit with you. Pack the kit with durable medical equipment and necessary chargers and cords, and keep a list of prescription information such as medication and dosages on your phone or in your wallet.

To protect against communicable diseases, New Jerseyans are reminded to stay up-to-date on vaccinations.

Protect Your Home

Residents can take simple steps to safeguard their homes against unexpected emergencies such as weather events and carbon monoxide (CO) or mold exposure. Families can protect themselves against carbon monoxide exposure by installing a CO detector and avoiding running any gasoline-powered engines-such as generators during a power outage-inside a basement, garage, or other enclosed structure, even if the doors or windows are open. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that cannot be seen, smelled, or heard. High levels of carbon monoxide can cause brain damage and even death, which is why it has been called the "silent killer."

Homes that experience flooding or heavy rain have the potential to develop mold, which can grow in any environment, including hidden surfaces such as ceiling tiles and insulation. People with mold allergies may have more severe reactions. Here are some tips for cleaning up after flooding and minimizing the risk of developing mold.

Stay Informed

Sign up for emergency alerts: Sign up for alerts and follow trusted local, county, state, and federal agencies for credible disaster-related information such as alerts, warnings, situational awareness updates, and where to find help. Additional information may be found at NJOEM's Staying Informed webpage. Residents should check with their local and county offices of emergency management for messaging solutions specific to their community.

Food Safety: Stay up to date on food recalls, and keep food safe during emergencies like power outages or floods. Know when to discard refrigerated perishable food items. When in doubt, throw it out.

Access Help

Be NJ Register Ready: Register Ready, New Jersey's Special Needs Registry for Disasters, allows New Jersey residents with disabilities or access and functional needs and their families, friends, and associates an opportunity to provide information to emergency response agencies. This helps emergency responders to better plan for and serve them in a disaster or other emergency if evacuations are ordered. The information collected for the registry is confidential and will not be available to the public.

NJ 211: NJ211 can connect New Jersey residents facing a crisis or dealing with a disaster to resources for essential needs such as: housing, utilities, income, food, childcare, and healthcare. Dial 211, text 898-211 or search nj211.org to find services near you.

NJDOH Office of Vital Statistics: In the event of a fire, flood, or other disaster where vital documents or records are lost, New Jerseyans should visit NJDOH Vital Statistics to order replacements of lost documents, such as birth, marriage, and death certificates.

Overdose Preparedness: Overdose treatment and support services are available even if someone does not have insurance. Learn more about ReachNJ, New Jersey's Addiction Helpline, and New Jersey's Naloxone Distribution Service.

Additional Resources:

New Jersey Department of Health Office of Disaster Resilience

New Jersey Department of Health Storm Recovery

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Ready.gov