September is Emergency Preparedness Month. Look for a weekly tip from the Office of Emergency Preparedness throughout the month on UVa Today.

September 22, 2011 — You can see some incidents coming, but others happen with no warning. In either circumstance, you have to decide what to do. Follow these steps when confronted with a potential emergency:

•    Assess the situation
•   Gather information
•   Gather supplies
•   Watch and listen for instructions
•    Follow instructions
•    Shelter in Place = Stay
•   Evacuate = Go
•    In the absence of instructions, use your best judgment
•    Decide to Stay
•    Decide to Go
•    Act
•    Don’t hesitate
•    When you are safe, let someone know you are OK

Accurate information about impending or actual emergencies can literally mean the difference between life and death. Keep informed through local media (TV and radio) stations and websites, especially for weather incidents, and rely on the University of Virginia home page for official information on any emergency affecting Grounds. Take steps now to be sure you can stay informed. Have a battery operated or crank radio ready to use, and a crank mobile phone charger so you can keep in touch with your loved ones.

For information, contact U.Va.'s Office of Emergency Preparedness at 434-982-0565 or uvaoep@virginia.edu.