SPRINGFIELD – Hurricanes, floods, wildfires, blizzards and other disasters across the U.S. in 2017 highlighted the importance of being prepared for all types of emergencies. As the New Year begins, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and local emergency management agencies throughout Illinois are encouraging people to “Resolve to be Ready” for emergencies in 2018.

Throughout this year, the agencies will offer support to help people attain the goal of better preparedness for themselves and their families. Each month, they will provide information on various preparedness or safety topics, including severe and winter weather, earthquakes, radiation, school and campus safety, cyber security and more.

On the road

With Illinois starting off 2018 in a prolonged deep freeze, it is especially important to always keep your gas tank at least half full when driving and to make sure you have a winter survival kit in your car. A well-stocked winter car kit should include:

* windshield scraper and small broom

* matches and small candles

* flashlight with extra batteries

* battery powered radio

* water

* snack food including energy bars

* matches and small candles

* extra hats, socks and mittens

* first aid kit with pocket knife

* necessary medications

* blankets or sleeping bag

* a shovel

* tow chain or rope

* road salt, sand or cat litter for traction

* booster cables

* emergency flares and reflectors

* fluorescent distress flag and whistle to attract attention

* cell phone adapter to plug into lighter

If you need help while on the road, once your vehicle is safely stopped call 911 on your cell phone.

*Provide your location, condition of everyone in the vehicle and the problem you are experiencing.

* Follow their instructions: you may be told to stay where you are until help arrives.

* Do not hang up until you know who you have spoken with and what will happen next.

* If you must leave the vehicle, write down your name, address, phone number and destination. Place the piece of paper inside the front windshield for someone to see.

* Fresh air: It is better to be cold and awake than comfortably warm and sleepy. Snow can plug a vehicle’s exhaust system and cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to enter the car. Only run the engine for 10 minutes per hour and make sure the exhaust pipe is free of snow. Keeping a window open a crack while running the engine is also a good idea.

At home

One of the first steps toward emergency preparedness at home is having an emergency supply kit stocked with basic survival items that are critical during an emergency. This includes:

* One gallon of water per person per day (a minimum of a three-day supply)

* At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food

* First aid kit

* Battery-operated radio, flashlight and extra batteries

* Items for children, seniors, pets, and household members with health or medical needs

Disasters often occur with little notice, so it is important to have multiple ways to receive critical information 24/7, such as through NOAA all-hazards weather alert radios, Wireless Emergency Alerts enabled on most smartphones, mobile device apps, TV, radio and the Internet.

IEMA maintains the Ready Illinois website (www.Ready.Illinois.gov), a one-stop location for preparedness information on a variety of hazards. In addition to information on how to prepare for emergencies, the Ready Illinois website also provides guidance on what to do during and after a disaster. A list of the 2018 monthly preparedness topics is also available on the Ready Illinois website.

Preparedness information is also available through the Ready Illinois Facebook (www.facebook.com/ReadyIllinois) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/ReadyIllinois) pages.