Curtis Lofton is Prepared.
What are the three unique items you plan to include in your Ready kit in addition to the suggested items?
Ice storms and severe thunderstorms could cause power outages, so I’m going to put my favorite Oklahoma blanket in my Ready kit to keep warm. I would also include ESPN Magazine or Rachel Ray’s cookbook to pass the time. Most importantly, I’d pack extra pet food and water for my two Boxers, Drake and Dora. I’d also include some toys and treats to keep them calm and happy.
What would you say to fellow Georgians about preparing for a large-scale emergency?
Take steps today to protect yourself and your family from unexpected threats. You never know what tomorrow will bring. I have the privilege of working with some truly inspiring children through my work with the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer research. I watch these brave kids fight for their lives every day, and it inspires me to do whatever I can to make the most of each day I have. In a disaster, I’m going to be my own first responder by having a Ready kit and emergency plan.
Also, as an Easter Seals Ambassador, it’s very important to me that people with disabilities have the opportunity to live with equality, dignity and independence. We all have different abilities and it’s important to address them as we get ready. If you have friends and loved ones with special needs, encourage them to think about the unique items they’ll need in case of an emergency.
Have you or a loved one experienced an emergency where a Ready kit would have come in handy?
My family and I have been very lucky. We’ve never experienced a disaster situation. That doesn’t mean we think it won’t happen to us. It could. The key to staying safe is preparing today. Georgia is susceptible to everything from floods to tornadoes to ice storms. You never know when one might hit, and you need to be ready to respond when it does. After seeing metro Atlanta’s floods at the end of 2009, it’s important to me to be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice. I’m going to keep important documents in a watertight container in my Ready kit, like Ready Georgia recommends, so I can grab them and go if needed.
