Get your Family Involved in Disaster Preparedness
By Carlo
Morelli
Housefires, earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, and
the threat of terrorist attacks are all, unfortunately,
common events. When disaster hits, will your family
be able to deal with an emergency? Proactively preparing
for possible disasters is one of the most important
things you can do for the well-being of your family.
Most parents want to shelter their children from these
fears by not talking about potential disasters for fear
of upsetting their loved ones. This is a natural desire,
but openly and calmly teaching your child about disaster
preparation is the best approach in the long run, and
can instill a sense of confidence and security in your
child. Here are some ways to help your child learn to
be prepared.
Find out your home and local area’s particular dangers:
Is your area prone to certain natural disasters? Talk
with your kids about what sort might strike in your
area and explain them. Again, the aim is not to alarm
or frighten your children. Calmly reassure them that
they are safe, and that it's important they learn what
to do just in case.
Create a family emergency plan: After
you have talked about the possible hazards in your home
and area, draw up a detailed emergency plan. If an emergency
occurs while your child is at school and you are at
work, where will you meet? Agree on an emergency contact
person, like a neighbor, nearby relative, or friend.
Write down emergency contact information and have your
children carry it with them at all times.
Put together an emergency kit with your child:
The kit should include fresh water supplies,
non-perishable food, batteries, flashlights, emergency
contact information, and an emergency first-aid kit.
Make a checklist of everything you should have in your
kit and take your kids shopping for them to get them
even more involved.
Select a place in your house where you can keep your
emergency supplies. This should be a cool, dry location,
out of the way, but within reach of your children.
Rehearse your family emergency plan:
Even though putting a family emergency plan into place
is important, without practice, children may forget
what to do if disaster really does strike. Every six
months or so, take a couple of hours to practice your
family emergency plan. Using at least two agreed on
evacuation routes, practice exiting the house. Stress
the importance of getting out of the house quickly and
safely.
Carlo Morelli writes for OnlineTips.Org, where you
can read tips on home
security alarm monitors, ceramic
tile floor and other home/garden topics.
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