9 Things You Can Do to Be Prepared For a Disaster
In 2017 we’ve seen large-scale disasters across our country—hurricanes, floods, fires, train derailments and car pile-ups. Of course, disasters can occur on smaller scales, too. Car accidents, home fires, major health issues and job losses can have large effects on families and individuals.
Large scale emergency management has traditionally been seen as the sole responsibility of government. However, disaster preparedness is also a personal responsibility. Odds are that we’ll all be part of a disaster at some time in our lives. With the goal to get through a disaster with as much ease and as little stress as possible, here are nine things that each household can do to be better prepared for an emergency:
1. Identify what your family is at risk to experience. Do you live in an earthquake zone or flood zone? How stable is your employment? What weather-related risks are common in your area? Reduce those risks where possible. Then, list how to prepare for the most probable events.
2. Use the list you made to prepare an action plan that covers basics such as where the fire extinguisher is kept, where fire exits are, and where to meet in an emergency as well as what to take with you if you need to leave your house. Keep this plan on all phones, and have hard copies in different locations in the home (garage, basement, 72-hour kit, with important documents, etc.). Include important phone numbers such as emergency contacts, out of state family members, banks, and insurance companies.
3. Practice appropriate elements of your plan regularly, such as fire drills, use of the fire extinguisher, turning off water and gas and meeting at the designated emergency location.
4. Be ready with the basics. Prepare a 72-hour kit (including prescriptions) and keep it current. Have a first aid kit and keep it stocked. Learn basic first aid.
5. Keep important documents together and make them easy to find and take with you in an emergency. Keep additional copies off site.
6. Talk with your family. Every household member should have an age-appropriate understanding of emergency preparedness. Emphasize the positive aspects of having a plan in place to minimize fear and to prepare children to cope with an emergency.
7. Make a communication plan. It’s an important part of any disaster plan, and an effective communication plan can greatly reduce the stress you’ll experience in an emergency. Make sure everyone understands the importance of leaving notes for each other during an emergency, even if you just leave the house to go up the street. Identify different ways to connect with one another depending on the emergency (communicating during a school-time emergency will look different than communicating during a night-time disaster). Identify out-of-state contact points whom all family members could contact in case you’re separated.
8. Put a reminder in your calendar to review and update each of these items once a year. Instead of trying to do it all in a day or a week, give yourself a full month to update and review.
9. Prepare to be part of the solution. Be aware that immediate responders are often family members, neighbors and good samaritans who step in even before first responders are called.
Don’t be overwhelmed. If this list feels too long or breeds fear, pull back and do the elements that are easiest first. During an emergency, having some things in place for your family will always be better than having nothing in place, so break the list into manageable pieces that you can complete over time, or find an accountability partner or mentor to help you tackle emergency preparedness. Work now to prepare for the possibilities ahead.