I spent sometime this weekend reading about emergency preparedness.

 I decided to share with you 4 simple and basic things that we all can do

to be prepared for it so if the time comes we can be ready.

 

Some of the questions we should ask ourselves in order to be prepared for an emergency are:

Will our family know and recognize an emergency?

How will we find each other in case of an emergency?

Where will we find each other?

Will our basic needs be covered?

Here are a few tips that may help us to answer these questions.

 

1

Learn and teach our families to recognize emergencies.

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We have the responsibility to learn about the hazards around us

and find out what disaster could happen to us.

These could be natural disasters such as earthquakes or hurricanes.

These also could be domestic accidents such as fires or floods. 

When we know what the hazards around us are it is a lot easier to cope with them

and prepare ourselves and our families for them.

Sit down as a family and talk about these hazards.

Teach the members of your family what to do for each given situation.

 

2

Have a plan.

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Perhaps one of the most important things we all can do is to have a family plan.

Unfortunately a disaster can strike quickly and without warning.

It can force us to evacuate our neighborhood or confine us to our homes.

Emergencies can happen when family members are scattered in different places { boo! } such as work and school.

Pick TWO places to meet:
1. Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire.
2. Outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home.

Everyone must know the address and phone number of these place.

A church, school, library  or meeting house is a perfect place to meet.

 

3

Have an in and out of state contact list.

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This is a list of phone numbers that every member of the family should have.

Keep in mind that after a disaster, it’s often easier to call long distance.

Keep this list on paper { cell phones run out of battery } and in an easy access place

such as your fridge, your car, and in your emergency kits.

Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1 or your local Emergency Medical Services number for emergency help.

 

4

Have a 72 Hour Kit.

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This is a crucial part of an emergency plan.

After a disaster, local officials and relief workers will be on the scene, 

but they cannot reach everyone immediately. 

You could get help in hours, or as we have seen before it may take days.

 Would our family be prepared to cope with the emergency until help arrives?

Water, food, first Aid Kit, non-prescription drugs, tools and supplies, sanitation products,

clothing and basic bedding,  pets food and  any medicines they may take, cash, entertainment and important family documents are all important basic things that we should have ready in case of an emergency.

 

TIPS:

Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family members.

Remember family members with special requirements, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons.

Children and adults should keep their emergency kits in their bedrooms.

Let the children take responsibility for their own backpacks and have the older children buddy-up and take care of younger brothers or sisters. Mom and dad should take care of baby.

Keep a smaller version of the Disaster Supplies Kit in the trunk of your car.

Always keep a pair of hard sole shoes underneath your bed.

 

These are just four basic things that we can start immediately to prepare ourselves.

I thought to put together a small list of Websites and Resources that may help us also to be ready.

SLVHD : Great site for step by step detailed emergency preparedness.

Be Ready Utah: Quick 72-Hour Kit Checklist

72 Hours Org: Quick Emergency Plan for different emergencies.

 

If you have any other tips, sources of experience with emergency preparedness please share it.

Drop a comment, I would love to hear and learn from you.

 

Well,  I think this post gives you a good idea of what we are going to be talking about

during our Family Night in our home today.

Thank you so much for visiting!

Besos

Desirée

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