By Stephanie Freeman
For family safety, it is important to be prepared, which means having a plan and practicing for the worst circumstances. According to the American Family Safety website, having a family communications plan and emergency preparedness plan is essential for every household.
If there is an emergency or disaster that takes place, it will probably take the Federal Emergency Response Agency (FEMA) or other organizations at least 72 hours to respond. And when a major disaster occurs there may be no electricity, gas, running water, or road access. With that being the case, all families should have supplies in their home to keep them self-sufficient until help arrives.
Often times when a disaster occurs, family members may be separated, that is why it is important to make a plan and make sure every family member carries the plan with them and knows it by heart. The communications plan should include key telephone numbers and addresses, a location to meet up together, as well as a secondary and third location if your first is not accessible. These locations should be a place a family visits frequently and all members are familiar with. The communications plan should also include medical information such as: doctors, pharmacist, and insurance information.
All families should also have an emergency kit, which includes: first aid supplies, whistle, light stick, duct tape, pocket tool, can opener, AM/FM radio, batteries, flashlight, solar blanket, food ration, water, poncho, respirator mask, gloves, and matches.
It is also important that at least one family member know First Aid and CPR in case there are medical needs, as well as learn how to use a fire extinguisher. Once these skills are learned, keep them sharp by practicing, practicing, and more practicing.
We never know an emergency or disaster will happen – but we can be prepared!
For more information, visit: http://www.americanfamilysafety.com or http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/commplan.shtm.
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