I know, I know, this is a subject very few of us really want to think about and even less of us actually do anything about. We all want to just continue with what we are doing now, which for most of us is nothing, and hope for the best.
Well, I do hope for the best, but that doesn't mean that I can't also prepare for the worst. You've all heard that an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure and that if you are failing to plan then you are planning to fail, so you know what you are supposed to do. Well, why don't we do it? It's very simple, some of us simply don't know what steps to take to have a disaster preparedness plan or how to practice or implement it if we do. I'm here to help. I am going to go through, step by step, just what it takes to have a disaster preparedness plan.
The very first thing you should do in preparing for a disaster is identify what type of disaster you are preparing for. If you do not already know, call your local Red Cross Chapter and find out what kind or kinds of disasters are likely to occur in your area. Now that you know what you are preparing for you should have a better idea of how to prepare, but you may still want to ask for tips from your local Red Cross.
Next thing you should know is how you will find out if disaster strikes. Usually there will be an emergency broadcasting system, but you may have other methods as well. Learn them and make yourself familiar with them. Nothing is more frustrating than knowing something is happening and not knowing what it is. Stay informed.
Learn your employers preparedness plan and become involved. If there isn't one in place, propose one, ask your coworkers to help you. Take initiative, this will not only possibly save lives, but it will also show your leadership, organizational and people skills.
if you have children, learn about their school's preparedness plan. This is very important, both for your child and your survival. Not knowing where your child is can cause panic and confusion which can be deadly in a time of disaster. You need to remain calm and if you don't know where your child is the last thing you will be is calm and focused. Take part in their school's evacuation plan so that you will know exactly where they are, how they are getting there and that they are safe when they arrive.
If their are elderly family members, please be sure to find out what special needs they may have that need to be met. Make a list of any important medications and keep a supply of these handy. if they have a special transportation need be sure to allow for this. There will be no electricity, so if they use an electric wheelchair you may want to keep a manual unit on hand.
Don't forget your pets!! Do the same thing for your pets and make sure you have supplies for them also.
Once you have a good idea of what needs should be met, come up with a plan to meet them and a way to keep them met in a time of disaster.
Now that you have an idea of what you are preparing for it's time to create a plan. Call a family, or household meeting and make certain that everyone attends.
Discuss what kinds of disasters are most likely to occur and what should be done in the event of each one. Get specific!! Make certain that everyone knows their part. To make sure there are no misunderstandings you should put it in writing and post it in a common area so everyone can see it. Plan another meeting and practice it. Make believe you are in a disaster situation and see how your plan works. If there are things that need work, discuss them and find a solution to the problem.
Once you have a plan and everyone knows their part, ask everyone if they feel any better. If not, find out what they aren't comfortable with and find a solution.
Now that you have a bit of knowledge and a workable plan, you are on your way to survival. Feel better? You should, you have an advantage over most people and your chances for survival have gone up exponentially.
If you haven't already thought of this yourself and done it, now is the time. Make a checklist so that nothing and no one gets forgotten.
- First and foremost, a headcount is in order in any disaster situation.
- Make sure everyone is present and accounted for. (Don't forget your pets)
- Make sure that everyone old enough knows how to shut off all utilities such as power, gas and water.
- Make a floor plan of your home and come up with a minimum of two evacuation routes. POST IT!
- Make sure to teach your children how to dial 911 and any other pertinent emergency phone numbers.
- Make certain that everyone knows how to stay informed of what is going on. Emergency Radios or televisions and in this day and age maybe a cellular phone with internet access.
- Make sure you have a local and an out of state contact in case of separation and make sure that these numbers are posted and programmed into everyone's phone and make a list and keep it in a safe place.
- Make certain that children know how to use these contacts
- Agree on at least two meeting places and make sure that all family members have this information handy. One of these should be near your home in case of a fire and the other should be outside your neighborhood in case you are not able to return home.
- As many people in the household as are able should complete a basic CPR and First aid class.
- Make copies of all important banking and insurance documents and keep them in a safe waterproof and fireproof safe or container.
- Keep another set of these documents with a friend that you can trust or at relative's home. Preferably out of the immediate area.
- Make a video or photographic record for insurance purposes. Make sure they have a time and date stamp on them. Insurance companies can be hard to deal with after a disaster.
- Make sure you have a list of all important phone numbers somewhere safe or with you at all times.
- Make sure and have a first aid kit or kits available and ready for action.
- Make sure you have a survival kit and supplies in place for everyone in the household.(Again, don't forget your pets)
- Map an evacuation route from your home to a safe place where you can stay while the area is evacuated. Family or friends that aren't too far and aren't too close.
Well, now you have some knowledge, you have a workable plan that you have practiced and agree upon and you have a checklist made. What else do you need? Supplies. Just as you need a disaster preparedness plan, you need to have a disaster supply list and a survival kit for each and every member of your household. Including your pets. This is a crucial component of your disaster preparedness plan.
There are many ways to build a survival kit or preparedness package and as long as you get the supplies you need, it really doesn't matter how you go about it. Here is an idea of some things you should include in your disaster preparedness survival kit.
Disaster Preparedness Kit Supply List
These are the eight basics you should stock in your home in case of disaster:
- Water: You should store at least a gallon of water per person per day. You should keep at least a three day supply of water for everyone in your household. Water should be stored in plastic containers that will not leak or decay. They should also be stored in a moderate climate to avoid evaporation. Don't forget your pets.
- Food: When choosing what food to store there are many things to consider and this list will give you a good idea of what kind of foods are best for a disaster supply kit. You should store at least a three day supply of food for every person in the household. Don't forget your pets.
- Ready to eat, canned or packaged meats, fruits and vegetables. Try to keep foods that require no cooking or refrigeration with a long shelf life.
- Canned juices, milk and soup are great, but if they are concentrated be sure to add some water to your supply for these items.
- High energy foods such as granola bars, peanut butter/jelly, trail mix and crackers.
- Salt, pepper, sugar and any other staples you may want.
- Baby food for infants or any other special food required for elderly or sick people in your household.
- Comfort foods such as coffee, tea, hard candy, cookies, lollipops or sweetened cereal. These can help to calm in a stressful situation.
- First Aid supplies: You should keep a FIRST AID KIT in your survival kit and in your home at all times. Make sure everyone in your household knows where it is and how to use it.
- Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
- Assorted sizes of safety pins
- Cleansing agent/soap
- Latex gloves(2 pairs)
- Sunscreen
- 2‐inch sterile gauze pads(4‐6)
- 4‐inch sterile gauze pads(4‐6)
- Triangular bandages(3)
- Non‐prescription drugs
- Aspirin or non‐aspirin pain reliever
- Anti‐diarrhea medication
- Antacid for upset stomach
- Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)
- Laxative
- Activated charcoal(use if advised by the Poison Control Center)
- 2‐inch sterile roller bandages(3 rolls)
- 3‐inch sterile roller bandages(3 rolls)
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Needle
- Moistened towelettes
- Antiseptic
- Thermometer
- Tongue depressors(2)
- Tube of petroleumjelly or otherlubricant
- Clothing: Keep at least one change of clothes per person in your survival kit.(Include sturdy shoes or boots)We also recommend you have rain gear.
- Bedding: Shelter and warmth are very important and you should have at very least a blanket or sleeping bag for everyone in the household. We also recommend you provide a tarp or tent if possible.
- Tools: A good tool kit is mandatory for a successful survival kit. This is a basic tool kit that should be thought of as a bare minimum of tools to have on hand in case of disaster. Always remember that it is better to have something and not need it than to need it and not have it.
- Mess kits, or paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils
- Emergency preparedness manual
- Battery‐operated radio and extra batteries
- Flashlight and extra batteries or a dynamo powered flashlight.
- Cash or traveler’s checks, change. Small denominations, it may be difficult to break large bills.
- Non‐electric can opener
- Utility knife
- Fire extinguisher:small canister ABC type
- Survival knife
- Tube tent
- Pliers
- Tape
- Compass
- Matches in a waterproof container
- Aluminum foil
- Plastic storage containers
- Signal flare
- Paper, pencil
- Needles,thread
- Medicine dropper
- Shut‐off wrench,to turn off household gas and water
- Whistle
- Plastic sheeting
- Map of the area (For locating nearby shelters)
- Hygiene: It is very important to have some basic hygiene supplies as well to help fight sickness and depression. In times of disaster it is important to be in as good a spirit as possible and good hygiene will promote this and help keep germs at bay.
- Sanitation supplies
- Toilet paper,towelettes
- Soap, liquid detergent
- Personal hygiene items
- Plastic garbage bags,ties
- Plastic bucket with tight lid.
- Disinfectant
- Household chlorine bleach
- Entertainment: Another very important and often looked over component of a successful survival kit is entertainment. This will keep your minds occupied and busy leaving you less time to dwell on your situation. You should by all means make an assessment of your situation, but to dwell too long is not healthy or productive. Do the things that you can do and don't worry about the things that you can't do. Keep a positive attitude and keep believing that things will get better and more times than not, they will.
- A deck of cards
- Dice
- Games for children
Now that you know what to do and how to do it, I urge you to get a plan together and practice it with your family. Go through step by step when and where everyone should be and make sure to allow for unexpected situations. In other words have a backup plan too. If you are one of those who doesn't want to put together your own Survival Kit, I hope you will consider one of ours. We offer survival kits of all shapes and sizes so I am sure you will find one or two to fit all your needs. We also sell complete Preparedness Packages that can be split up and used at different locations. Whatever you choose to do, don't choose to do nothing. Prepare today and stay safe. Have a great day
www.securitysurvivalandspygear.com
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