You buy school supplies every August. You purchase a crib when you find out you are having a baby. You set the table when you are making dinner.

Think of all the hundreds of steps we take to prepare for life’s events---for the start of school, having kids and enjoying a meal. At the Red Cross, we ask that you take just a few steps designed to help you get ready for some of life’s most difficult situations---a fire, tornado or sudden evacuation---that could happen at any time, day or night. We are encouraging you to Be Red Cross Ready.

Now’s the time. The month of September has been declared National Preparedness Month. As you take all those hundreds of routine steps to get ready for upcoming events, all we ask is that you squeeze in three more: Get a Kit, Make a Plan and Be Informed.

The Red Cross is here to help. Just watch Twitter for a tip every day on how you can prepare. You can check back on our website every week for some suggestions on how you can ready your family or workplace. Or stop at any of these local organizations and talk to one of our volunteers about how you can prepare:

• Kenosha Public Library, Southwest Branch, "Disaster Preparedness Month," 7:00 p.m.

• Delafield, Wal-Mart, “Women’s Health and Safety Fair,” 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Menomonee Falls, Menomonee Falls Fire Department, “Safety Fair,” 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Milwaukee, Evangel Assembly of God Church, “Safety Fair,” 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

• Milwaukee, Clinton Rose Senior Center, “Senior Preparedness Series,” 12:30 – 1 p.m.
• Milwaukee, Evangel Assembly of God Church, “Blood Drive,” 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

• New Berlin, “New Berlin Fire Department Safety Fair,” 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

• Milwaukee, “Uniting Garden Homes, Inc. Health Fair,” 12 – 4 p.m.
• Milwaukee, Hmong American Friendship Association and Shee Yee Community Of Milwaukee, “Annual Community Health & Resource Fair,” 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
• Wauwatosa, Lowe's, "Safety Saturday," 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

You can also request a presentation for your group by contacting us!

Or you can be proactive and help others prepare. If you are interested in giving a few hours a month to help your neighbors, visit our Volunteer page or contact us.

So as you are making dinner tonight, remember to check your disaster kit for an emergency supply of food. After you help your kids with their homework, “school” them by testing your smoke alarm. Just a few minutes of your time could be crucial if you have to evacuate your home, or if you are struck by a tornado or fire.

There’s never a better time than now, during a month nationally designated to help your family and friends get prepared. Embrace National Preparedness Month as the perfect time to Be Red Cross Ready!

The American Red Cross in Southeastern Wisconsin relies on donations of time and money so they can provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies in Dodge, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth and Waukesha counties. To donate your time, please visit our Volunteer page. Financial donations can be made online through our secure contribution site.