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Emergencies are never planned, they just happen. Everything from an earthquake, tornado, heart attack, choking, or even a power outage can be an emergency for your family. In times of disaster, you hardly have any time to run errands, and if an unexpected health problem crops up, you have to know what to do in an instant. It is prudent to have an emergency kit packed in your home just in case.
Your emergency kit should include:
• Food to last the family at least three days. Pack non-perishable foodstuff such as dried pasta and canned soup. Do not forget the can opener.
• Medication, both prescribed and regular pain medication, as well as a fully packed first aid kit.
• Several gallons of water to last everyone three days. A gallon a day per person should do.
• Personal care items such as toothbrushes and toothpaste, soap, and wipes.
• Blankets and a flashlight with extra pairs of batteries.
• Important documents and some extra cash.
Check the constituents of the kit regularly for validity. You would not want to be caught up in an emergency with a ton of expired food. This list is not exhaustive, but the idea is to ensure you have the essential items and enough food and water to last you three days. Let the location of the kit be known to each member of the family.
Getting Prepared For Emergencies
With the kit in place, make a plan together. No one knows when an emergency may strike, and you should all agree on a meeting place in case family members are dispersed. You could decide on two to three locations that are familiar to everyone; such as the cabin if you have one and if it is safe. If the emergency is internal such as a fire, you could agree to assemble someplace outside your home.
Evacuation
When the entire family gathers at the agreed meeting location, you could plan the evacuation process if it comes to it. In your evacuation plan, set out two to three locations again, to give you enough options depending on what the emergency entails. Take some courses in a masters emergency management online program or similar local classes. You can learn a lot about good evacuation plans and communication methods to use during an emergency when separated from your family.Conduct a Drill
For your whole family to be on the same page as far as the emergency plan goes, conduct regular drills. You could alert family members or do it without their information just to gauge their level of preparedness. As for the evacuation plan, drive to the chosen destinations regularly, finding the best possible routes to get you there in the event that the regular ones are impassable. The goal is to get everyone involved at all times and to accommodate their ideas. Image courtesy of photostock at FreeDigitalPhotos.net