Planning is important to surviving a disaster or any extreme weather event. You simply cannot handle things as they come up during a disaster, you must have a plan in place as to what to do when disaster strikes. Planning protects your family and ensures life essentials are met. First determine what you are up against, are earthquakes possible, is flooding a risk during heavy rains and do you know if you are susceptible to tidal surges during tropical storms or hurricanes. If you rely on your community\’s water treatment plant for water, you should plan for the possibility that the treatment plant may not be operational during certain disasters. Knowing the possibilities as far as what disaster you may face allows you to devise an emergency disaster plan for your family.
Not knowing when a disaster may strike, means you must be prepared at all times. Therefore, every member of your family must know what to do at 3am and well as at 9am. Emergency exits must be well defined so there is no confusion. People will panic when they simply do not know the next move. Once disaster strikes, is not the time to wonder about what direction to go in, or what room to assemble in if the disaster strikes in the middle of the night. Make sure all plans are updated and keep in mind if you are the only one that knows what the plan is then you do not have a plan.
Everyone needs organization and making everyone part of the emergency disaster plans helps everyone understand what needs to be done. If you have a shelter on your property, it is important that it be inspected periodically. If you plan to store your emergency supplies in any type of shelter you must keep track of the supplies and make sure there is not any deterioration of medical items, water or food. Even rooms within your home must be inspected for suitability, make sure it has a load-bearing wall and it should not have windows or outside walls.
Your disaster plan should also include practice drills. Does everyone that has a driver\’s license know the way to your local storm shelters and the emergency evacuation routes? Practice driving to the shelters and along the evacuation routes. During a disaster is not the time to wonder which direction to travel in. You also need to consider what to do if your children are at school and you are at work. What are the emergency procedures for your work place and what procedures do the schools have for disasters? Typically, unless it has been verified ahead of time only the parents can pick up children from school.
Share what you know at meetings. Meetings should be held more frequently as you get into the seasons for certain natural disasters. The meetings can be used to assign tasks to everyone. Who is responsible for making sure the supplies are up to date, and that the supplies used during the last backyard adventure have been replaced. Older children need to be involved and be given certain responsibilities. Does everyone know what to do in the event of a fire or partial structure collapse? Take everyone with you as you drive to the shelters during mock drills, they can help you find your way during a disaster because some landmarks may be destroyed so more than one set of eyes will be needed. Make sure your family members understand why the main electrical breaker and gas line should be shut off during a disaster. Share what you know.
You should be flexible enough to change your disaster emergency plan and accept other\’s ideas. They may be aware of something that at the time you are not, so always keep an open mind.
Preppers should learn more about disaster preparation for families by visiting The Smart Preppers Website. Take time today to prepare your family so they will be safe when a future disaster occurs.
Do You Have An Emergency Plan For Your Family?
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