Set Your Clocks, Check Your Stocks reminds you to be prepared

When you set your clocks for daylight saving time on March 9, use it as a reminder to make sure your emergency preparedness kit is still stocked. That's the message of Get Ready: Set Your Clocks, Check Your Stocks, a new initiative of APHA's Get Ready campaign.

Set Your Clocks, Check Your Stocks is reminding everyone that they should have at least three days worth of emergency supplies, and to make sure that their stockpile has all the necessary items, including non-perishable food, bottled water and essential medications for each member of their family. Even if you already have a stockpile, it's easy to forget to check expiration dates or to switch out your batteries, so use daylight saving time as a reminder!

Don't have an emergency preparedness stockpile? Set Your Clocks, Check Your Stocks has a great checklist that can help you create one. The clock change is also a perfect time to familiarize yourself with your community's emergency preparedness plan, including evacuation routes, emergency shelters and the location of food banks. And, as always, don't forget to check the batteries in your smoke detector!

The Set Your Clocks, Check Your Stocks Web site includes free fun materials about creating an emergency preparedness stockpile, including recipes, games for kids and a grocery list. When you spring forward this year, be sure that you and your family have a preparedness stockpile to fall back on in the event of an emergency!