September Is Emergency Preparedness Month!
Family preparedness month is happening right now! Don’t wait until a disaster strikes to make a plan!
September is a great month to get ready for whatever Mother Nature has to throw at you. I’ve compiled a few activities and info sheets for you, which you can find at the end of this post, along with some helpful tips on getting your family prepared for a natural disaster.
Tips on what to do when disaster strikes:
- Text, don’t talk! Granted not all of your kids will have a cell phone, but it can be easier for a text to go through in case of emergency than a call. If you need immediate medical or safety assistance, call 911 but to reach a family member during an emergency, texting may be better.
- Have a list of important phone numbers somewhere easily accessible and have a copy with all of your kids! Also have an out of state contact so during a wide-spread emergency when local lines may be tied up, an out of state call may go through when a local call may not. If everyone in your family has the same out of state contact, you can all check in with them and relay important meet up or other information.
- Pick a meeting spot! Make sure your kids know where they should go in case of emergency to wait for you! Make it somewhere safe and easy to remember. Have an on site but outdoors meeting location-like the big tree or the neighbors while at home. If you or your children are out and about, consider a safe public place like a local school or community center where you know there will likely be other people who can help until you arrive.
- Review with your family all of the possible exits from your home and how to get out safely in case of an emergency!
Let’s talk emergency kits! What kinds of items and how many?
Be sure that you have enough food, water and supplies to last you and your family a minimum of 72 hours. If you need rescuing you never know how long it will take for help to find you. You want to be prepared for the worst while hoping for the best. Included is a link to the FEMA checklist for your Emergency supply kit, but here are some that we want to stress:
- Prescription medications
- Infant formula and diapers
- Pet food and extra water for your furry friends
- Important family documents
- First aid kit (we recommend something like this First Aid Kit)
- Change of clothing for everyone including clothes for all weather types
- Regular Chlorine Bleach and an eye dropper—just in case you need to disinfect (9 parts water to 1 part bleach) or to treat water (16 drops of regular bleach per gallon of water)
- Battery powered Radio
- Flash light
- Extra batteries
- Thermal emergency blankets
- Waterproof ponchos
Remember these are just a few of the important things you should have in your emergency kit, we recommend utilizing the following lists to ensure you and your family are prepared for anything.
Family Emergency Contact Sheet
Kid’s Contact Sheet-Get them involved!
For More Disaster planning resources please check the FEMA website!