LAST WORDS

SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH

- Mike McCourt

Considering all the potential threats to our health and way of life, being prepared for every type of disaster and emergency is virtually impossible. Face it: If there's a sizable meteorite out there with Earth’s name on it, all bets are off.

But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prepare yourself and your family for at least the most likely adverse situations you could face. To a great extent, your list will depend on where you live, because most disasters are the result of natural events. True, man-made catastrophes are not uncommon or without dangers, but the vast majority of lost life and property in the United States is caused by extreme weather.

While natural threats are related to specific weather or seasons—both of which are predictable to a large degree—we believe that proper planning and preparation requires weekly, if not daily, attention.

Living in northern Georgia, we’re rarely affected by serious winter weather. However, “black ice,” and even minimal snowfall, are enough to paralyze the populace and send the unprepared slipping and sliding to the nearest supermarket for milk, bread and “adult refreshments.”