Disaster Preparedness Art Contest for Elementary School Kids

For 2022 the City of Austin Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) will again design the Emergency Preparedness Calendar to feature student artwork. HSEM invites you to submit your child's emergency preparedness creations in the 2022 Emergency Preparedness Calendar Contest. The contest is open to all 1st through 5th grade students whose school (or residence) is physically located within the Austin city limits, regardless of the independent school district.   September is National Preparedness Month and HSEM is encouraging everyone to prepare for emergencies - including kids. As part of National Preparedness Month we are asking for elementary school students to learn and share artwork about emergency preparedness. Throughout September we will share information on our social media and other platforms about our four key steps to preparedness: Make a Plan Build a Kit Know your Neighbors Stay Informed SUBJECT OF ARTWORK: Family emergency preparedness actions, severe weather conditions occurring in central Texas, and man-made disasters. Examples of a family emergency preparedness action are the creation of a home or vehicle emergency kit or practicing a disaster plan, such as an evacuation plan. Severe weather hazards are tornado, hail, flash flooding, lightning, excessive heat or cold and dangerous icy conditions. Examples of man-made disasters are terrorism, wildfires, train derailment, chemical spills, building fires and epidemic. Artwork should also contain a safety message about the specific hazard featured. Note: Remember this is a 12-month calendar, severe weather occurs throughout the year. Ice storms, extreme cold, and flu season are better examples of the late fall and winter months than a tornado or flash flood. Drought, excessive heat and hail work well for summer months. Man-made disasters, communication plans and emergency kits will fit in any month.   Information on personal safety during severe weather and man-made disasters are available at public education websites such as:    National Preparedness Month HSEM Preparedness Information Ready.Gov Texas Disaster Preparedness KnoWhat2Do National Weather Service - Safety Information CDC - Disaster Information Red Cross Disaster Preparedness