PRINCETON — A local agency has developed a budget-friendly, six-month plan for Bureau County families and individuals to get their emergency preparedness kits ready and in place.

Lisa Clinton, spokesperson with the Bureau/Putnam County Health Department Emergency Preparedness group, said the budget-friendly plan encourages people to prepare for disasters before they happen. The goal is to have basic supplies on hand in order to survive for at least three days after an emergency. Not only are there basic supplies which should be kept on hand, but families should also consider where they live and the unique needs of their family to create an emergency supply kit which will meet those needs, she said, adding the start of the new year in January is a perfect time to begin building an emergency kit.

There are several advantages in spreading the building of disaster preparedness kits over a six-month period. For one thing, people wouldn’t incur all the expenses at one time. Also, the work and “To Do” lists of each week’s schedule doesn’t have to be done all at one time. Plus, by spreading the work and expense of the emergency kits throughout the six-month period, people will also be keeping emergency preparedness before them and in the forefront of their minds each week, she said.