Know the Number That Can Save a Life: 988 - Most people know to call 911 during a medical emergency. But how many people know that 988 is the number to call or text during a mental health or suicide crisis? September is Suicide Prevention Month, a reminder that every one of us can play a role in saving lives. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline connects people to trained crisis counselors 24 hours a day, seven days a week. One of the simplest things you can do is learn the number, save it in your phone, and share it with family and friends. You may never need it yourself, but someone you know might.

Prepare for Physical and Weather Emergencies - Emergencies often come with little advance warning. Whether it's severe weather, a power outage, wildfire smoke, flooding, or another unexpected event, a little preparation today can make a big difference tomorrow. September is National Preparedness Month, an ideal time to review your family's emergency plans. Do you know where you'll meet if you're separated? Does everyone know who to contact if cell service is disrupted? Do you have enough food, water, medications, flashlights, batteries, and other essentials to be self-sufficient for a few days? Even simple steps, like updating emergency contact information, assembling a basic emergency kit, or signing up for local weather and emergency alerts, can help keep your family safe. Download FEMA and Red Cross emergency apps and encourage family members to have these apps on their phone, too.