Family Emergency Plans
Emergencies and disasters happen. That is part of life, unfortunately. However, being prepared for them—not in a panicked way, but in a practical way—can make all the difference. It can take an emergency and turn it into something that you’re able to handle.
Living on my own, I was semi-aware of this fact and had some systems in place. Becoming a parent has made me much more aware and much more prepared. Here are some things I did as a single person:
Have a “bug-out bag”---This is especially important living in a hurricane zone or any area where inclement weather could threaten your home. I’ve included three days’ change of clothing, a toiletry bag, an extra phone charger, a folder with important documents, and cash. If you have to evacuate quickly, you don’t want to have to think about what to pack, you just want to go.
Create a power outage station—again, living in a hurricane area, storms threaten to knock the power out pretty frequently, but it can happen anywhere. You want to keep dried and canned food, batteries, candles with matches/lighter, flashlights, backup water, and a weather radio on hand. A solar powered phone charger and solar powered light bulbs are great as well! If you have access to a grill, have some spare charcoal/propane tank and lighter fluid. Make sure all items, especially food, are up-to-date and in working order!
Know at least one phone number (besides your own). Those of us who are old enough to have had landlines, remember the days when you had about five phone numbers memorized? Maybe more? You would think that, now that our brains aren’t being filled with that information, we would have space for more useful stuff…but I’m not sure that’s the case. Anyways, I digress. Have at least one phone number memorized that you could call if your phone were to die and you need to reach someone.
Keep a First Aid Kit handy. Keep it stocked.
With a young child, I feel like emergency planning has reached a whole new level. Here are some things I have done or plan to do:
Have a document folder. Keep Baby’s birth certificate, immunization records, and other important medical information all together in a folder or binder.
Have emergency numbers posted. Of course, 911 is an easy number to remember, but you should have easy access to your pediatrician’s phone number. Also, Poison Control! 911 is a broad spectrum of handling emergencies, but Poison Control is dedicated to that one thing—walking you through a situation where someone has come in contact with something poisonous.
Have an emergency sheet. Give it to your emergency contacts too! Include family phone numbers and emergency contact phone numbers, doctor information, and pertinent medical information.
Designate a meeting spot in the event of an emergency if family becomes separated. Make sure older children are aware of this too!
Role play emergency responses with children. Does your child know how to dial 911 in the event of an emergency? Would they evacuate in the event of a fire?
What would you include in an emergency plan, especially for a family?
Thanks for reading!
💜
Laura
