Preparing Your Family for a Disaster

Preparing Your Family for a Disaster, ready for an emergency

Is your family ready for an emergency?

Natural disasters can strike without any warning and can completely blindside you.  That’s why it’s so important for you and your family to be prepared and have an emergency action plan in place.  Make sure you and your family are ready for an emergency situation by following this advice.

Talk About It

While you don’t want to scare your child, it is important that they understand that emergencies do happen.  Talk about how to safely evacuate your home and choose a spot where you will all meet if you are separated.  Discuss how you will communicate with each other.  In the event of a natural disaster, the phone lines will most likely be down.  A text is more likely to send.  Reassure your child that they are safe and that you will be right there with them during an emergency.  This will help your child stay calm, and listen to what you have to say more carefully.

Practice

Hold at-home disaster drills so your child can practice your evacuation plan.  Remember, practice makes perfect.  The more comfortable your child is with the plan, the more likely they will stay calm and jump into action should disaster strike.

Make an Emergency Kit

Have a kit of essentials and keep it in an easy-to-grab place.  Your kit should include things like important documents, enough water to last your family several days, non-perishable food items, flashlights, and some spare money.  It is also a good idea to include items of comport in your emergency kit.  A change of clothes or a familiar stuffed animal will provide comfort to your child.

A natural disaster can truly come out of nowhere.  Make sure that you and your family are ready for an emergency situation, and make sure you all stay safe.  If your child is in need of medical care, contact Pediatric Surgical Associates.  Our pediatric surgeons in Orange County are experts at protecting your kid’s health and wellness!

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