Ahead of what is projected to be another busy holiday travel period, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, and TSA Administrator David Pekoske issued a public service announcement (PSA) asking travelers to make a plan and be prepared before traveling.
In the video, Secretary Mayorkas, and Administrators Criswell and Pekoske encourage travelers to make preparations before embarking on their travels, which include checking with their airport and airline, packing items they might need during an emergency and ensuring their family’s safety while on vacation or traveling for work.
VIDEO: FEMA and TSA Encourage Travelers to Be Prepared Before Their Next Trip
Preparedness is important for TSA as well. The agency screened 264 million passengers during the summer travel season, which was a record number of travelers for the period. At the same time, extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and severity nationwide.
The PSA specifically outlines three easy steps everyone can take to be prepared before they travel:
- Assess your needs. Whether you have to keep your medications cool or need help getting an assistive device, it’s important to consider what you’ll need in an emergency. Engage your support network. Enlist a trusted friend or neighbor to watch your home while you’re away.
- Make a plan. From planning your travel route to understanding the risks you might face in the places you visit, it’s important to understand what you’ll need and what you’ll do if a disaster or emergency happens when you travel.
When travelers are packing their bags and any items they may need in their emergency kit, it is important they check the TSA.gov “What Can I Bring” tool. For other questions on items to bring, they may also reach out to AskTSA by texting TRAVEL or 275-872, tweeting @AskTSA on X or sending a Facebook message to AskTSA.
To learn more about National Preparedness Month and steps you and your family can take to prepare, please visit: https://www.ready.gov/september.
