Upper Arlington event helps residents be prepared

UPPER ARLINGTON, Ohio ( WCMH ) — As part of National Emergency Preparedness Month, the City of Upper Arlington hosted an emergency preparedness kit giveaway on Monday.

This marked the first time the city held the event and dozens of cars were lined up before it started.

Organized by the Upper Arlington Fire Division's community paramedic program and UA Cares, more than 200 kits were handed out to residents. The kits contained a flashlight, first aid kit, toothbrush and toothpaste, survival blanket, and information on how to create a personal emergency plan.

Leaders with the event said their goal is to inspire people to think ahead.

"It can help you get ready, to really think ahead for emergencies that may happen in your own home," Cares Program Manager with the Upper Arlington Fire Division Christine Leyshon said. "You may be sick for a couple of days. You can't get out. So having food, water, medications, extra supplies, things that may happen in our community, more localized events or things that may happen, you know, on a broader scale that we really want people and families, households to think about how you can plan for emergencies."

Leyshon said some kits have been reserved so her team can deliver them to homebound residents who weren't able to make it out to Monday's event.