How to Prepare Your Family for an Emergency

Emergencies can be anything, from a power failure, to major disasters such as hurricanes, floods, tornados or severe storms.
Simple preparations may seem slightly foolish, but only if you never need them, and most folks will.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Explore the internet for disaster prep web sites.
• Start building basic supplies and tools.
• Create a family emergency plan.

1. Most people do not prepare for any type of emergency. Even a simple power failure, long or short, can be not only unsettling, but also frightening if no preparations have been made.
   Start by thinking what you would do if the power were out of service for an extended period of time.
   Simple items like flashlights, batteries, candles (and something to light them!), food which can be prepared without the use of an oven or stove.
   Then plan for what you would do if the power were out when the weather is cold and the heat is off.

2. Plan to stay in your home if conditions permit. IF authorities recommend leaving, i.e. evacuating the area, you should already have what is called a "go-kit". This is a collection of copies of important documents, ID's, CASH, names and addresses of relatives and important phone numbers as well as medications and/or prescriptions if possible. Also spare items like glasses or contacts. Plan to be away from home for an extended period and what you might need if this were necessary.
   A plan for your pets is vitally important! Some shelters may not allow pets. Perhaps there is a way to leave your pet at your home and it will be safe. Take a look around your home and see what you can figure out.

3. Make a plan with family members. If they are not home and an emergency strikes, where will you meet? Is there a common phone number you can all call? Or, is there a place where you can all safely meet in the event it is impossible to reach home? A hard copy, i.e. paper copy, of important phone numbers would be useful in the event cell phone service does not work. Remember, if there is a major power failure, your cell phone will probably NOT work at all and only normal (land line) phone service will work, if phone lines are not downed by severe weather.

Tips & Warnings

• Create a family plan.
• Create a basic supply of goods which you can store in the event you cannot leave your home.
• Plan for the basic needs to survive: food, water, waste disposal, basic hygiene needs, amusement items.
• You must have a battery or crank-power radio to receive information.
• Lighting, heat, clothing needs must be assessed and planned.
• Use the internet as a resource to determine how much and how seriously you need to plan. This may be dictated by your location, and the 'normal' weather patterns in your area, as well as how remote your home is.
• IMPORTANT FACTS: In cold weather you can survive: 3 hours without shelter, 3 days without water, 3 weeks without food.
• Keep your plan private and known only to your immediate family members.
• Create your plan NOW before you need it.
• You must determine what you need to provide for your own safety as well as your family's. This may involve deciding on means of protection and may mean firearms and proper storage and training in their use.
• These are ONLY suggestions. It is up to you to prepare and decide how much preparedness you desire.