Welcome to our new monthly home and family newsletter! Here you will be able to catch up on the latest home and family news, tips, events and other information. This month's issue highlights emergency preparedness.

Each year, disasters disrupt hundreds of thousands of lives in the United States and throughout the world, leaving lasting impacts. According to the American Red Cross, however, less than half of Americans have an emergency preparedness plan in place. 

"When people are prepared, fear, anxiety and losses that accompany disasters are reduced," said Carolyn Washburn, USU Extension associate professor. "September marks the ninth annual National Preparedness Month, an annual campaign led by FEMA to encourage all Americans to take the necessary steps toward emergency preparedness."

Approximately 60 percent of Americans own animals and include their pets as important family members. The likelihood that people and pets will survive an emergency such as a fire, earthquake, flood, tornado or terrorist attack depends largely on emergency planning.
According to Carolyn Washburn, Utah State University Extension associate professor, Washington County, it is important to keep in mind that what's best for you is typically what's best for your animals.

"Animals left behind in disasters can become a risk for emergency responders and be at risk themselves for health complications, getting lost, injured or killed," she said. "That's why family preparedness plans need to account for the four-legged and winged members of the household."