BEVERLY HILLS—The city of Beverly Hills is working to increase public awareness about the importance of planning for disasters for National Preparedness Month which takes place in September. The city is working to alert residents and business to take action to prepare for emergencies.

“National Preparedness Month is a nationwide campaign held each September to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools. The goal is to raise public awareness and inspire a “call to action” by community members to take the necessary steps to protect the life, property and safety of themselves, family members, neighbors and co-workers,” states a press release from the city of Beverly Hills.

Residents are urged to be self-sufficient for at least a week, even up to two weeks. A major disaster could increase emergency and city service resources, postponing attention to those in need for several days. To get ready:

-Make A Kit — Have supplies at home and kits in your car and at work available. Store a 14-day supply of water, a first aid kit, battery powered flashlight and extra batteries, and a cell phone battery pack charger.  Make sure you have cash, clothing, tennis shoes, extra medications, personal hygiene, important documents and pet supplies in your kit.

-Make A Plan — Establish a plan for your family and make sure everyone knows what they should do, where to go or meet in case of emergency and practice your plan!  Out-of-state contact information should be shared with family members so messages can be relayed to loved ones if local communications are not available.

-Be Informed — Sign up for the City’s emergency telephone notification system at www.beverlyhills.org/emergencynotification. Sign up for the City’s Facebook, Twitter and Nixle notifications. Also, during and after an emergency, you can go to the following locations for information:

-City of Beverly Hills Website: www.beverlyhills.org

-City of Beverly Hills Disaster Hotline: (310) 550-4680

-Radio: 1500 AM

-Cable TV: Channels 10 and 35

-Twitter: www.twitter.com/beverlyhillsoem

-Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cityofbeverlyhills

-Text BEVHILLS and BEVHILLSPD to 888777 to receive text message alerts

For more details and a list of supplies go to www.beverlyhills.org/emergencymanagement or call (310) 285-1021.