Aug. 31, 2007

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COLLEGE STATION – September is National Preparedness Month, and Texas Cooperative Extension is an excellent source for emergency and disaster preparedness and recovery information and expertise, said an Extension expert.

"Extension is one of the partners supporting national efforts to increase public awareness on how to prepare for an emergency or disaster," said Janie Harris, Extension housing and environment specialist.

"The Department of Homeland Security designated September as National Preparedness Month, in large part because 9-11 falls in that month," Harris said. "It's a good opportunity to emphasize the need to prepare for the possibility of a natural or man-made disaster. Extension is one resource people can use to get free, objective information to help them prepare for or recover from a disaster."

Information is available through two Extension-related Web sites and personnel in Extension offices throughout the state, she said.

The Texas Extension Disaster Education Network site at http://texashelp.tamu.edu has useful disaster preparation information. Some of the topics covered include making a family escape plan, preparing a disaster supply kit, identifying shelter and precautions for home and office safety.

The Extension bookstore site, http://tcebookstore.org , contains information on topics including disaster recovery safety, basic first aid, restoring home and belongings, financial recovery, food and water safety and health issues.

Most emergency- or disaster-related materials from these sites can be downloaded and printed free of charge, Harris said. Some are available in Spanish.

"We're an educational agency, and our main concern is to provide people with information they can use to help protect themselves, their families and their property," she said.

There are numerous considerations before, during and after an emergency or disaster, and each disaster has its own unique "personality" and set of challenges, Harris added.

"To prepare for an emergency or disaster, families should map out an evacuation plan ahead of time and practice it," she said. "They should also have an emergency kit for their home, office and each vehicle, and definitely should know where to go in case of an emergency.

"People also need to be aware of safety issues that may occur when returning to their home or business after a disaster, such as structural damage or damage to electrical wires or gas lines. There's also the risk of contaminated water."

Extension has identified and provided access to as many informational tools as possible to help Texas residents prepare for and recover from the unexpected, Harris said.

"Extension offices often coordinate with other county, state or national agencies during an emergency or disaster," she said. "Millions of Texans are already familiar with Extension and with their local Extension office as a source of information on many quality-of-life issues. And such issues include how to prepare for an emergency or disaster."