Why is the only time we think about getting prepared when disaster has already struck? So often, we hear about disasters and think "I really should get a plan and things together in case of an emergency," but most of us never get around to doing anything about it. September is National Preparedness Month, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. On their website, http://www.ready.gov, they list the simple steps to take to get your family prepared for an emergency.
Alicia on "The Peace of Mind of Being Prepared for the Unexpected"
'Just thinking about disaster striking is enough to raise our anxiety levels ten times. Many people simply decide not to think about emergencies until they strike. This stress-relieving tactic works most of the time, but the subconscious fears you have cannot stay hidden forever. To achieve true piece of mind, get prepared for the unexpected. There are three simple steps that I used to prepare my family for an emergency that I found on http://www.ready.gov that helped me organize my family to ensure we are prepared in the event of an emergency. The steps are Get A Kit, Make A Plan, and Be Informed. It is simple to do, takes only a few hours and once you get rolling, you will feel so much better.'
Sarah on " What's the Plan, Stan?"
"Step two of the three step process to getting prepared is making a family plan. No one knows where they will be when an emergency strikes, and if the power and phone lines fail, it is impossible to organize everyone's whereabouts without a predetermined plan. Pick a location close to home and one out-of-town to meet in case of an emergency. My family's location that is close to home is my office. It is a two-floor structurally sound building that is inland and only 3 minutes from home. Our out-of-town location is at Aunt Betty's house. Everyone in the family knows to call Betty first in the case of an emergency. Also, we all have her phone number memorized because you never know where you will be and what you will have when disaster strikes."
Here is the three step plan for getting prepared for the unexpected:
#1: Get a Kit
When preparing for an emergency, it is important to think about the basics for survival. The "big 4" that we suggest are water, cash, food, and a first aid kit. Make sure that your kit has enough supplies for each family member for five days. Imagine how much suffering could have been avoided after the hurricanes last year if every family had an emergency kit stocked with these basic four essentials.
#2: Make a Plan
As Sarah talked about, make sure that your family has a meeting place close to home and out-of-town in case of an emergency. It is also important to have a family contact that is out-of-state who can separately communicate with all family members. In case of an emergency that does not require an evacuation, talk to your neighbors about how everyone can work together during an emergency. Make sure everyone knows the plan and stick to it! Once you have a plan, set aside a family dinner every six months to review together.
#3: Be Informed
The more you know about what to do when the unexpected occurs, the better your decisions will be if disaster strikes. Find out what disasters your area is the most at risk for and what the appropriate way is to respond to them. Also, once you have organized the basics, spend some time thinking about the extra things that your family may need such as prescriptions and glasses. Just remember, you can never be too prepared! For complete emergency preparedness information, visit http://www.ready.gov.
We are the co-founders of Buttoned Up, inc., a company dedicated to helping stretched and stressed women get themselves organized (along with everybody else they?re responsible for too!). We welcome your thoughts! Please send ideas and questions to us at: yourlife@getbuttonedup.com or visit us at http://www.getbuttonedup.com
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