As part of National Preparedness Month, encouraging people to take necessary steps to ensure their homes, workplaces and communities are ready for disaster, Target and the Seattle Police Department teamed up Sept. 29 to provide 100 local families with supplies and information.

The Seattle Police Department’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and Target sponsored the even. Each family will received a gift card for up to $100 to build their family emergency kits. All families have been notified in advance and pre-registered for the event. Target employees, Seattle police officers and OEM staff provided assistance to shoppers.

Dick Reed, Assistant Chief of the Seattle Police Department, talked to the West Seattle Herald about today's event. He said, " Were here today at the Target store in West Seattle, partnering with the Target Corporation to provide emergency supplies and information for citizens and residents about how they can be prepared when natural disasters strike. We know that in this area, the Puget Sound area, we're prone and liable to a wide variety of public significant events whether it be earthquakes, storms, and power outages. For a city and a community to be able to respond effectively, it's coming down all of us as citizens and our schools and our houses to be prepared, so this is an opportunity to partner with the Target Corporation to provide actual supplies to individual families so that they can be better prepared."

Helpful tips for specific items:
• Water - or water storage container(s): Store one gallon per person per day for at least three days (for every member of your family). Containers should be clean, food-grade plastic, Le., two-liter pop bottles. Do not store water in glass, milk or bleach containers. Use or replace bottled, sealed water annually. Use or replace tap water in water containers every six months.
• Food: Look for non-perishable, dried or canned goods, easily digestible and familiar.
Consider your family}s allergies and dietary needs. Include a can opener (see tools) for cans without pull tabs. Look for easy-to-prepare} easy-open packages. If needed} baby food/formula, pet food} Ensure or nutrient drinks.
• First Aid Kit with instructions: supplement kit with over-the-counter treatments for pain} Le., aspirin, Tylenol, stomach upset} diarrhea, antihistamine, cough medicine, sore throat.
• Flashlights and extra batteries: with hand-cranked or solar-powered backup} with/without cell-phone charger.
• Radio and extra batteries: with hand-cranked or solar..;powered backup} with/without cell-phone charger} NOAA Weather Radio.
• Medications - keep an emergency supply of all prescriptions for seven days. Store in apill carrier. Think about other medical needs} Le.} eyeglass case, reading glasses} hearing aids/extra batteries} walking cane, leg wraps} heat packs/cold packs} other medical aids.
• Cash and important documentation: small bills - $10s} $5s, $1s} roll of quarters, wallet size or small photo album for health/medical conditions, written prescriptions, emergency contacts, identification} insurance information. Include family photos, pet photos, pre-paid phone card.
• Clothing and sturdy footwear: include blankets - fleece, mylar, camping; gloves, hats,boots} fleece, scarves, socks.
• Tools: utility knife, crescent wrench (for utility control), can opener, crowbar} tarps, duct tape, rope, as well as large garbage bags, ziptop bags, kitty litter (good for sanitation)
• Sanitation and hygiene supplies: toothbrush/toothpaste} mouthwash, toilet paper, moist towelettes, hand sanitizer, feminine supplies, diapers, etc.

Also consider: playing cards l stuffed animals l crossword puzzies games l music.

Sign up for the OEM Monthly Connection for more on how you can get your family prepared, learn skills and stay informed! Go to: http://www.seattle.gov/emergency/publications/newsletter.htm

Preparedness information is also available through the Seattle Office of Emergency Management at 206-233-5076, email: snap@seattle.gov, or www.seattle.gov/emergency

Locally West Seattle Be Prepared has been hosting meetings, compiling information and setting up Emergency Preparedness Hubs for communication.

You can also get involved and exchange information with others via the group's Facebook page.