EL PASO COUNTY — September marks National Preparedness Month, and after witnessing Hurricane Dorian's destruction, it's a perfect time to talk to homeowners about how to prepare for emergencies - regardless where you live.
El Paso County, the City of Colorado Springs, and Colorado Springs Utilities are teaming up to help educate folks on how to avoid disaster.
Their campaign focuses on a different aspect of preparedness each week. and this week, the goal is to have folks save early for disaster costs and understand wildfire risk when it comes to their homes.
Unlike hurricanes, most disasters like wildfires give you little or no time to prepare.
So it's important to think ahead by taking steps like safeguarding your personal finances, and preparing an escape route if you and your family are in an area prone to evacuations.
"Practice this with family members and children, which way to escape and have a spot to meet at where you will account for everyone," said Cindy Huge with American Red Cross.
Cash and non-perishable food are something else you would need, especially if you have to evacuate.
Something else you can do now is have back-ups for important documents and take pictures of your home for insurance purposes.
It's also important to stay informed during emergency situations, and both El Paso County and Teller County actually have an emergency notification system you can sign up for so you can get updates in real-time.
You can sign up for that here.
