Scared or prepared, planning makes all the difference! Creating the perfect family disaster plan is the first and most important disaster preparedness activity to start with. After all, in the event of an unexpected disaster or emergency, who will you worry about the most? Most likely, your family is the top priority. The television news is full of natural disasters that happen all the time. It is our responsibility to have a plan for our family so that we are not afraid, but rather prepared.
Here are seven tips for the perfect FDP or Family Disaster Plan to help ensure you and your family are protected and have peace of mind knowing what to do in the event of an unexpected disaster or emergency.
Family communication meetings
Set a date and time for the whole family to come together and discuss the disaster plan. These meetings should continue until your plan is perfected. Buy a 3-ring binder notebook and insert a cover in large, bold print Family Disaster Plan on glossy paper so it’s easy to see. This notebook should have a designated area where everyone knows that it might be near the phone in the kitchen. Talk with the family and write down what should be included in the plan, such as meeting points, emergency numbers and information, discharge form for each minor child, important family records, CPR training, and the items listed below.
reserve water
Water is essential for survival. Depending on the disaster, you may not have water available. Storing water reserves or purifying contaminated water should also be among your top priorities. At a minimum, store a 72-hour emergency supply of water for each member of your family. Emergency officials estimate that you should plan to be self-sufficient for the first 72 hours, but if possible it would be best to plan for 2-3 weeks because in reality this would probably be the case. Write down on your FDP where your emergency water storage is located.
Create Disaster Backpack Kits
As we have discussed above, it can take hours, days, weeks… you just don’t know. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene, but cannot reach everyone immediately, so it is your responsibility to be prepared. Emergency survival kits can be created yourself from a backpack or purchased online, but they must contain the essentials to survive at least 72 hours or more. The kit should contain items such as food and water, first aid kit, light and communication, shelter and heat, tools, hygiene and sanitation, medicines and additional prescription drugs, glasses and anything else that can fit in a backpack that you can carry . grab and go. Write down on your FDP where your survival kits are located.
Discuss utility safety
Water quickly becomes a precious resource after most disasters. It is very important that everyone in your household learns how to turn off the water at the main valve in case cracked water pipes can contaminate the water supply to the home and the effects of gravity can drain the water in your heater. water and toilet tanks unless you trap it at home by turning off the main water valve.
Electrical sparks have the potential to ignite natural gas if it leaks, so it’s a good idea to teach all responsible family members where and how to turn off electricity.
Natural gas leaks and explosions are responsible for a significant number of fires after disasters like a major earthquake. It is very important to teach all responsible family members how to turn off the natural gas supply if they smell the distinctive warning gas odor or if you notice a high gas usage reading on the gas meter. Do not use matches, lighters, open flame appliances, or operate electrical switches until you are sure there are no gas leaks. If you smell natural gas, immediately get everyone out of the house and away, open windows and doors to provide ventilation if necessary, turn off the gas at the meter, and warn nearby neighbors. Take note of the utility safety instructions after discussing them with your family and insert them into your FDP notebook.
Make a Home Hazard Checklist and Action List
Deaths, injuries, and property damage caused by earthquakes are generally caused by falling and moving objects. You’ll most likely be home during an earthquake, so how safe is your home? A lot of destruction can be avoided by doing a little preventative maintenance. Set a date and time for another family gathering to do a Home Hazards Checklist to see what things, like bookshelves, furniture, appliances, can be secured to the wall or cabinet to prevent them from falling and injuring someone in the room. case of a disaster. Record these findings and the action list in your FDP notebook and schedule another family meeting to start preventive maintenance in your home.
Food Storage and Rotation Tips
Here are some things to keep in mind when preparing your emergency food supplies. Store wisely items that will keep for a long time and date everything. Establish a Method whereby, if you fill a pantry or basement with canned goods, put the new purchases in the back and remove the old cans in the front. Inclined shelves can be built to allow newer cans to roll forward as older cans are taken. Learn from experience by allowing your family to taste what you have stored will help you determine what to store in the future. For example, if those dried lima beans haven’t moved after two years, they probably won’t make anyone happy during an emergency either. Write down emergency food storage dates in your FDP notebook.
Review Plan Every 6 Months.
The plan should be reviewed and updated regularly to keep each family member up to date and to add or delete as needed in your FDP notebook.
