You’ve heard the expression: better safe than sorry.

Or maybe you believe there’s good karma in being prepared. Whatever prompted you to read this article, consider it a golden opportunity to get organized and educated on the steps to have a happy and safe summer season.

Here’s the 411. Kids are at home and bound to get into mischief. Summer sports and swimming pools work well with a first aid plan. Thunderstorm, hurricane, and heatwave seasons are right around the corner. These are the facts—they are not shared to scare. They’re designed to light a fire (no, not literally).

With the goal of making your summer swell, your workplace well-guarded, and your home a happy holiday haven, do a little research and get the family—or work team—together for an afternoon of planning and preparation. You might even invite a Red Cross professional to swing by the office or afternoon play at the park for first aid training.

To help inspire your emergency preparedness, here are six books to aid you in developing a plan to sail through summer (and all year long) safely. 

• The Disaster-Ready Home: A Step-by-Step Emergency Preparedness Manual for Sheltering in Place by Creek Stewart.
• Be Prepared, Not Scared – 12 Steps to Emergency Preparedness: Guide to Becoming Prepared for Short and Long-Term Emergencies by Dr. Michelle Jorgensen DDS.
• Emergency Food Storage & Survival Handbook: Everything You Need to Know to Keep Your Family Safe in a Crisis by Peggy Layton.
• SAS Survival Handbook, Third Edition: The Ultimate Guide to Surviving Anywhere by John ‘Lofty’ Wiseman.
• The Ultimate Severe Weather Safety Guide: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe by Martin Lisius.
• Wilderness Survival For Dummies by John Haslett and Cameron M. Smith.

Additional Resources Include:

Red Cross: Get Help for Emergencies During Hurricanes and Storms

U.S. Gov: Get Ready for Emergencies by Building a Kit

National Safety Council: Tornado Preparedness

OSHA: Workplace Emergency Preparedness and Response 

I hope this article provided you with a few applicable ideas. I would be honored if you shared this on social media. And speaking of sharing, please share your own ideas, books, and links to resources below. Together, we can build an uplifting community that focuses on supporting each other’s safety, well-being, happiness, and success.