Energizer Shines A Light On Hurricane Preparedness Efforts
Prominent Battery and Flashlight Maker Helps People Keep Going During Hurricane Season; Launches Program and New Products to Help Gulf Residents Plan, Prepare, Protect
ST. LOUIS, May 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Despite last year's devastation from hurricanes Katrina and Wilma, a recent poll(1) found that only 18 percent of residents in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia have purchased basic supplies or prepared an emergency kit this year. As a result, Energizer, a leader in dependable, portable power, sheds some light on important hurricane preparedness information to help individuals prepare for the 2006 hurricane season, which begins on June 1.
Energizer's "Plan. Prepare. Protect.(TM)" program is an educational campaign designed to provide hurricane preparedness information and supplies, urging residents to set their plans in motion. The program runs through the end of July, focusing in regions of the country often hard-hit during hurricane season, including: Tampa, Miami, Houston, Mobile, Ala.; Wilmington/Outer Banks, N.C.; Savannah, Ga.; and Charleston, S.C. The program makes relevant safety messages available through a series of tips and materials, while bringing assurance and peace-of-mind to local residents through community events.
"Our focus for the Plan. Prepare. Protect. program is to encourage people to be proactive about hurricane safety," said Jeff Ziminski, vice president of marketing for Energizer. "Being safe during a hurricane doesn't start when the warning is broadcast -- people need to create their plans, prepare their families and protect their homes right now, and we're educating them on simple ways to do this."
In fact, Energizer is teaming up with local emergency services personnel and non-profit organizations to spread the word and help sponsor community events in various markets, including emergency kit-building seminars. Throughout the Gulf region, the company plans to donate Energizer® batteries and flashlights to those in need. Over the course of the seven-market tour, Energizer will donate $70,000 worth of product that will help residents prepare for hurricane season.
To help people put their plans into action, Energizer offers these important hurricane preparedness tips:
o Develop a family PLAN that includes evacuation routes and emergency
communication contact strategies
o PREPARE Your Family by assembling an emergency kit that includes items
for all family members young and old, including pets
o PROTECT Your Home by checking insurance policies to ensure they are
current and sufficient for damage; as well as strategically removing
tree limbs to eliminate potential damage to the home
In addition to the local-market events and helpful tips, Energizer makes it easier than ever to weather the storms of hurricane season with a new line of flashlights, lanterns and area lights called Weather Ready(TM). The lights provide individuals with innovative, long-lasting lighting solutions addressing the needs for both hand-held and area lighting in the case of a power outage.
"The addition of Weather Ready enhances our lighting products portfolio to provide consumers with smart solutions so they can keep going in an emergency," said Tricia Schuler, director of sales and marketing for Energizer Lighting Products. "We're excited to debut these items in time for hurricane season, in conjunction with the launch of our 'Plan. Prepare. Protect.' program."
For additional information on Energizer® batteries, flashlights (including the new Weather Ready line) and the Plan. Prepare. Protect. program, visit www.energizer.com/preparedness .
Energizer is a community partner committed to helping families prepare for hurricane season by offering a new line of flashlights, lanterns and area lights called Weather Ready(TM). Energizer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:ENR), headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is one of the world's largest manufacturers of primary batteries and flashlights and is the parent company of Schick-Wilkinson Sword, the second largest manufacturer of shave products in the world. Visit www.energizer.com/ for more information.
(1) Poll conducted Feb. 20-23 and Feb. 26 - March 2 by the Elon
University Institute for Politics and Public Affairs. The poll was based
on interviews of 1,277 residents from the five states. The margin of
error is plus or minus 2.8 percentage points. Poll results were reported
by the Virginian-Pilot on March 7, 2006.
For more information, contact:
Christine Johnson, Weber Shandwick: 314-552-6747
Jackie Burwitz, Energizer: 314-985-2000
Source: Energizer
CONTACT: Christine Johnson of Weber Shandwick, +1-314-552-6747, or, Jackie Burwitz of Energizer, +1-314-985-2000
Web site: www.energizer.com/preparedness
http://www.energizer.com/
