As students across Georgia prepare to go back to school, the Ready Georgia campaign encourages parents to be prepared as well. Back-to-school means more than just new clothes, new teachers and new learning; it is also the perfect time to update Ready kits and family communications plans with new school information.

What are your schools’ comprehensive emergency plans? How will you reconnect with your children should a disaster strike during school hours?

These are questions you should be able to answer before sending kids to class. Recent events, such as flooding and the H1N1 virus outbreak, prove that you can never be too prepared and that a disaster can happen anywhere, at any time.

Parents and guardians should know what questions to ask: Ask if the school has an approved safety plan. Ask if students and faculty regularly conduct fire and tornado drills and are prepared to “shelter-in-place” if need be.

Ask what to do if there is a crisis at the school. Parents should not go to the school – instead, they should listen to television and radio for reunification instructions.

The Georgia Emergency Management Agency and the Georgia Department of Community Health–Division of Public Health can help Georgians get ready. The Ready Georgia Web site, www.ready.ga.gov, offers users an interactive, customizable communications plan and supply list.

Parents can enter schools’ emergency contacts and procedures and receive a tailored plan for the entire family that includes the supplies to put in their household Ready kits.

As kids go back to school, the best way to ensure the safety of every family member is to prepare, plan, stay informed about potential threats to the community, and get involved in the preparation process.

For more information about being prepared in Georgia, visit www.ready.ga.gov.