Monday, September 18, 2017

Irma and Harvey Expose Americans’ Dangerous Lack of Preparedness

KANSAS CITY – Every year, Americans living near the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico brace for Hurricane Season. And beginning in late May, national, state and local governments work with the media to inundate citizens with important information about preparing for dangerous storms that threaten homes and disrupt lives.
All summer, news organizations report daily on threats “in the tropics” that may bring death and destruction to the East Coast or the Gulf South. And tension mounts for residents as they watch storms track closer and closer.

Yet, the last two weeks exposed the fact that even Americans who live with the annual threats are unprepared for the disasters they know are coming.

“It was heartbreaking to watch Houstonians escape their flooded homes with only the clothes on their backs. And it was scary watching supply shortages cause Miami residents to ‘panic prep’ for any water, gas or plywood they could find,” said Shawn Tipping, co-founder of Game Plan Experts. “The desperation in both cases was avoidable.”

According to FEMA, nearly 60 percent of American adults have not practiced what to do in a disaster, and only 39 percent developed an emergency plan and have discussed it with family.

“As Kansas City residents, we’ve been victims of annual disasters, like flash floods, ice storms, blizzards, tornadoes, and we’re just as guilty of complacency,” said Bob Harris, Game Plan Experts co-founder. “That’s why we were inspired to help others by launching Game Plan Experts and the Game Plan Expo.”

Coming to the Overland Park Convention Center, October 7 and 8, the Game Plan Expo is designed to give residents a rational, common sense approach to preparing whatever emergency we face. The Expo’s goal is to help individuals, families, businesses, and organizations “Get an Emergency Game Plan.”

There will be 15 workshops from governmental agencies like FEMA, The National Weather Service, American Red Cross, and the National Storm Shelter Association. Additionally, there will be as many as 30 demonstrations/presentations. Experts will provide education on emergency preparedness for:
  • Tornadoes
  • Fire
  • Flood
  • Blackouts
  • Severe Weather
  • All Types of Personal Emergencies
  • Home Security
  • Child Safety
  • Emergency Plans for Pets
  • Vehicle Safety
  • Internet Security and Identity Theft Prevention
  • Surviving Acts of Terrorism
  • And more...
For the kids, there will be free workshops, demos, and fun activities, including emergency vehicle tours!

Attendees can expect to leave the EXPO with both the knowledge and the tools they need for developing a 72-Hour Emergency Game Plan. Having a “Game Plan” provides the peace of mind that individuals, families, businesses, and organizations are better prepared to survive unexpected emergencies and disasters of all kinds.

Tickets
Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for kids. Children 5 and under are free. For more information about the 2017 Game Plan EXPO and to purchase tickets online visit: https://www.gameplanexperts.com/expo.html.

Located in Lenexa, Game Plan Experts is for anyone concerned about the safety of his or her family or business. It is a Kansas-based, family-owned disaster and emergency preparedness business designed to help simplify the overwhelming amount of information about preparedness. Game Plan Experts’ goal is to make emergency and disaster preparedness easy, accessible, and affordable.  Based on some basic demographic and geographical information, we can help you determine where to start, what you need, and how to prepare cost-effectively.

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