When your family knows their role during an emergency, you are better prepared for what comes your way. A sound emergency plan means you can act quickly and curb the panic when things get crazy. Regardless of the situation, facing these emergencies isn’t quite as hectic and becomes manageable with a good family emergency plan.
When your family knows what to do during a crisis, it helps tame the stress and calms the chaos. It’s not paranoia because you put together an emergency plan. It’s being smart by being prepared for the unexpected. The peace of mind from having a family emergency plan is a great feeling.
An effective family emergency plan ensures everyone knows what to do, where to go, and what to bring when things get bad.
A communication plan is necessary when facing an emergency. Being able to reach family members means less worry and keeping everyone informed and connected.
Start by picking a primary contact outside your local area. This person can help pass along information if local networks go down. Make sure everyone knows how to reach them.
Use technology to your advantage. Emergency apps, mass text services, and social media can be lifesavers. Many apps let you set up group messages to keep everyone informed at the same time.
It’s also important to explain the communication plan to your kids. With easy-to-follow steps, teach them where to go and who to call, which will help them feel safer and less scared.
Make sure communication methods work for everyone, including older family members and those with disabilities. You might need large-print contact lists or special devices for those with reading and hearing problems. Addressing these needs ensures everyone in the family can stay in touch during emergencies.
Prepping needs to be done with the kids in mind. Imagine how scary it can be for children during an emergency. You need simple, clear, easy-to-understand emergency plan steps to help remove the stress. Going through an emergency scares the children, so using simple words and providing easy steps to follow in an emergency is the best bet. Keeping children calm is best for everyone.
Help remove the panic by involving the kids in assembling their emergency go bags. Make it fun for the little ones to fill their bags with water, snacks, a flashlight, and a comfort item like a favorite toy to help keep them calm when an emergency hits.
Another fun way to prepare the kids and reduce stress is by role-playing. Practice what to do in case of a fire, storm, or separation from the family. You would be surprised how much regular emergency practice sessions help not only the kids but also the adults keep calm during an emergency.
Remember to include schools in your family emergency plan. Keep the schools updated with your current contact information. Learning about the school’s emergency plan for closure or evacuation is another step to add to your emergency planning. If possible, try to get documentation detailing their emergency instructions. Inform everyone about the school emergency procedures so they know what to expect.
| Emergency Planning with Kids | |
|---|---|
| Activity | Description |
| Turn it into a Game | Create scavenger hunts for emergency supplies or use role-playing scenarios to practice what to do in different emergencies. |
| Involve Them in Packing | Let children help pack their own go bags with their favorite items, like toys or snacks, to give them a sense of control and involvement. |
| Use Storytelling | Explain emergency situations through stories or books that are age-appropriate and engaging. |
| Educational Activities | Incorporate educational activities like coloring books, puzzles, or interactive apps that teach about emergency preparedness. |
| Practice Drills | Make practice drills fun by timing them and rewarding children for completing tasks quickly and correctly. |
| Create a Family Plan Together | Involve children in creating a family emergency plan, including drawing maps of escape routes and identifying safe meeting spots. |
| Positive Reinforcement | Praise and reward children for their participation and efforts in emergency planning. |
| Use Visual Aids | Use charts, diagrams, and visual aids to explain emergency procedures in a way that’s easy for children to understand. |
| Incorporate Technology | Use apps and online resources designed for kids to learn about emergency preparedness in an interactive way. |
| Stay Calm and Positive | Maintain a calm and positive attitude to help children feel safe and secure during the planning process. |
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Just like other family members, make emergency plans for your pets. Build a pet emergency go bag filled with food, water, and medications they need. For comfort and safety, throw in a leash, blanket, and favorite toy. Like with children, emergencies are a highly stressful time for them, so a familiar item that brings them comfort is ideal for a pet emergency go bag. An anxiety jacket is a great way to calm anxious pets.
Pets do best with a safe space in your home where they can stay during an emergency. This could be a room without windows or a basement. The pet safe space is a good place to keep the emergency pet kit so it is ready when needed.
With pets, you need to plan ahead because not all emergency shelters accept pets. You need to determine which shelters allow pets and add this to your emergency list. Another place to research for emergency shelters is pet-friendly hotels, or ask friends and family if they can care of your pets if needed.
Keep pet identification and other information up to date, including tags, microchips, and vaccination records. Put these papers in a waterproof container in case you need to leave quickly. Planning lets you keep your pets safe and comfortable during a crisis.
Having disabled and older family members means you need a customized emergency plan. Chances are they have special requirements to consider for their safety.
Place emergency supplies where they are easy to reach and keep medications, medical equipment, and mobility aids nearby for quick access. Keeping things close at hand for these family members means fewer delays during an emergency.
Work out an agreement with neighbors or community members to help your older and disabled family members in the event of an emergency. Notify people you trust about the special needs of family members who need extra help. When you build a support network, you have the help when needed.
Consider any medical needs and keep an extra supply of important medications on hand. List all medications and dosages and place them in the emergency kit. This step can prevent medical issues during an emergency.
When thinking about transportation, plan how to transport disabled or older family members, especially if they need a handicap-accessible vehicle. Make these arrangements ahead of time to avoid stress and ensure a quick evacuation if necessary.
Regular practice ensures everyone knows what to do during an emergency. Practice different scenarios to boost confidence and reduce confusion in an actual emergency.
Emergency plans need regular reviews to make any necessary changes. Keep your emergency plan up-to-date and change it to cover any life changes, like moving or adding more family members to the group.
Stay connected to your community and keep informed about emergency planning changes. Depending on your area’s circumstances, community changes could involve new evacuation routes and other emergency services updates. This information is necessary for your family’s emergency planning.
Family member’s feedback after emergency practice drills is another important aspect of keeping your emergency planning updated. Your family can provide insight into what worked and what needs improvement, which makes the plan clearer and more effective. This feedback should be a part of regular family conversations. The goal is to keep everyone familiar with the plan, which helps keep them calm and organized during an emergency.
Using available resources can make creating your family emergency plan easier. Government agencies like FEMA and organizations like the Red Cross offer checklists and templates to guide you.
Apps and online tools are a great resource for organizing and managing an emergency plan. Look for templates and apps designed to track emergency information and send notifications and alerts. These tools make it easier to update your plan and ensure everyone has the latest version.
Joining local emergency preparedness programs can help provide helpful hands-on experience. These programs often include workshops, drills, and training to teach everyone how to respond in an emergency.
Start a support network or a group in your neighborhood focused on emergency preparedness. When the community shares resources and knowledge, everyone wins. Everyone is more prepared to face any emergency.
These tools and resources can help keep your family ready for all emergencies you experience.
