A natural disaster is a fact of life that no one can evade 100 percent. Calamities strike when you least expect them and they take lives by the hundreds (sometimes thousands).
Although disasters can strike anywhere at any given time, you can do a lot to lessen its catastrophic effects. Each family (or even individuals) should be organized and ready when the unexpected emergency decides to show up.
What is a Disaster Preparedness Plan And Why Every Family Should Have One
Your family is the best team during disasters and emergencies. First, you all know your strengths and weaknesses and you could bank on each family member’s strength for the safety of your family. A family disaster preparedness plan is a MUST for every family any place in the world.
Primarily, your family should be able to point out specific disasters that are common in your area. It would be silly to prepare against tornadoes when they do not, or have never even occurred your area, in the first place.
As a family, you should know what disasters usually strike in your community. Although it’s best to plan for any type of disaster or emergency, on top of the disaster plan should be your plan when the most common disaster strikes.
As a family, you should be able to agree on what to do and whose role is what when the calamity happens. Each should have an equal task in countering the catastrophe.
Again, being prepared way ahead of the emergency is imperative. It is ridiculous to start talking in panic just when the family is coming face to face with, say, flood.
Bear in mind the necessities that could be cut off when calamities happen: no telephone lines (or worse, no cell phone signals), no electricity, or no water. Your plan should center on establishing the most important part of survival – food and asking for assistance.
If you and your family are not confined inside your home by the disaster, it is best to go to the nearest emergency management office in your area. If you’re at home and are not able to go out – don’t panic.
Although help could take time to arrive, most probably it will, and the best thing to do is to wait it out and have ample food while waiting for help.
A family disaster plan is a must for every family any place in the world.
Here is a simple checklist with essential steps to create your family’s disaster preparedness plan (you could add more according to your family’s needs):
1. Know what type of disasters plague your community and base your disaster plan on that.
2. Know if your community has a warning system. If yes, can you recognize it at any given minute?
3. Think of the people who cannot fend for themselves and who should take care of them during calamities (the elderly, disabled individuals, even pets).
4. Set a place where your entire family could meet in case your home caves in or is destroyed by a disaster. Have a plan A and plan B.
5. Have escape routes. Do not limit it to just one. Have at least two.
6. Post the emergency numbers where the flood cannot reach it and where it is safe from fire. It should be in a conspicuous area and everybody in the family should know where it is.
7. Set up a time for the entire family to practice the disaster plan at least once a month so that everyone would constantly be reminded of what they are tasked to do and how to be alert in their roles.
8. More than being physically and mentally prepared is to be prepared with necessities (food and some toiletries). Arrange a kit where there is ample food and water for everyone (at least 72 hours would be good), soap and also some spare batteries. Always include a flashlight in your disaster kit.
9. As a family, you could enroll in classes that specifically deal and discuss how to prepare your family against any disasters. A CPR or first aid class would be a necessity.
10. The last one on this list is very important: Tell your children what to expect during calamities and how not to panic. Let them know the warning signs of a potential disaster and how to contact you in case you do get separated.
Aside from all these necessary things to prepare, it is also better if you constantly keep a prayer in your heart that you and your family be kept safe from any harm during catastrophic moments.
This is a free chapter from the ebook, Basic Survival Guide: Will You Be Ready In Case of A Catastrophe?, a comprehensive guide to what you need to be prepared for in any given disaster. It will give you answers to those questions about how to be prepared in any emergency and put you and your loved ones one step ahead of the headlines.
Article Source : http://www.lovingyourchild.com
