How To Prepare Your Family For A Catastrophic Disaster

Disaster preparedness is something that all families should talk about regularly. Whether the threat is fire, flood, invasion by an enemy force or any other kind of disaster, being prepared can save the lives of your family members. It also helps to reduce fear and panic when something does happen, enabling your family to respond with intelligence and efficiency.

Preparing Your Children

Disasters can be particularly traumatic for children, many of whom are already beginning to feel that much of the world is outside of their control. When disaster strikes, and it becomes clear that parents cannot always prevent things like fires, floods and earthquakes from affecting the family, they can become especially vulnerable.

That is why it’s particularly important to talk with your children about the possibility of a disaster. Explain to them that a disaster may cause damage or even hurt people. Talk to them about what might happen during an emergency, such as phone and electrical service being shut off. Also, make certain they are aware that emergency personnel are working to help them at all times during a disaster. Help them to understand that firefighters, paramedics and police are all sources of assistance.

On a practical level, your children should be able to call 911 to report an emergency. Depending on their age, it might also make sense to teach them how to shut off the utilities. Children should also have ready access to contact information for an out of area relative who has agreed to be your family’s emergency contact. In fact, every member of the family should have an emergency contact information card on them at all times.

Each family member should have a go bag packed with items they will need should they be evacuated. While adults may stick with necessities, it makes sense to tuck a small doll or other toy into your child’s bag to make certain they have a comforting item available during a disaster.

Keep the Whole Family in Good Physical Condition

It’s almost impossible to predict all of the factors with which your family must contend in the aftermath of a disaster. You may face several days of hiking through difficult terrain or be forced to wade through flood stage waters. Disaster preparedness means getting fit. Take your family on regular hiking expeditions and encourage them to participate in sports and other physical endeavors. Try weight training and sign up for some 5k races. Rejecting a couch potato lifestyle just might prepare your family with the endurance they need to survive in the wake of a disaster.

Being fit also includes following a healthy diet. Keep waistlines trim and hearts in good condition by making sure that the whole family gets plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Make lean protein a part of each meal and teach family members the importance of the various nutrients their bodies require. Also, everyone should keep up with routine doctor visits, ensuring that all required shots and immunizations are up to date. Visiting the doctor regularly can prevent illnesses that could adversely affect your health for many years.

Know How to Shelter-in-Place

In some disaster circumstances, you may be required to shelter-in-place. This means that you have to survive wherever you may be when disaster strikes. Usually, this situation arises when authorities inform you that you must stay indoors until you are advised otherwise. General guidelines for sheltering-in-place include closing and locking exterior doors and all windows, choosing a room for shelter that has few or no windows and bringing a working radio into the room. It may be advisable to use plastic sheeting and duct tape to cover vents and windows.

You should have a shelter-in-place plan for your home and office. It also makes sense to contact the schools your children attend to find out what their shelter-in-place plan is. Should your children be at school when a disaster happens, and you cannot get to them, it may give you peace of mind to know that a workable plan is in place at their school. Possessing this kind of information gives you some sense of power over a disaster situation and increases your chances of survival.

Author Bio

Rebecca Brown is an avid blogger for NQ Mobile on CNN Money, keeping people protected when using their mobile devices.