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| Does your family have an emergency preparedness plan? |
There are many events going on around the world. Recently some bad storms have hit close enough to our home to make us blink and wonder if we are really ready in case of an emergency. One of our local television stations provided their viewing audience with a handy dandy list and we have it here for your perusal, along with Mother Connie's candid commentary:
1. Water—one gallon per person, per day *3day supply for evacuation, 2week supply for home.
We are the proud owners of a Nikken Aqua Pour. It is portable, so we can simply pick it up and carry it to our vehicle, even in a rush. We'll need jugs of distilled water, though...
2. Food—nonperishable, easy to prepare items *3day supply for evacuation, 2week supply for home.
We're good with peanut butter. Better make sure there's a knife for spreading it, though. We could easily grab bags of fruit from the fridge. Might be a good idea to make up some sammies ahead of time, for the freezer, too. Oh, and think of all the snacks provided by chocolate chips, packages of nuts and dried fruit!
3. Flashlight
This will only be practical if The Normanator remembers to get a fresh supply of batteries.
4. Battery-powered or hand crank radio *NOAA Weather Radio, if possible.
Does the car radio count?
5. Extra batteries
Better hope these are fresh. Is it true they keep well in the fridge?
6. First aid kit
There's one under the front seat of the car. Do those ever expire?
7. 7 day supply of medications and medical items
Presumably this would include food supplements, as well. Good thing we keep ours together in a basket on the kitchen table. Handy, handy...
8. Multipurpose tool
This no doubt refers to The Normanator's Swiss Knife. And our favorite manual can opener.
9. Sanitation and personal hygiene items
Supposedly this would include tooth brushes and ToothSoap, which are always at the ready in their own cute travel bag. When I was 13 it would have included cosmetics, which, thank you, God, are no longer necessities. grin Mother Connie strongly suggests having a coffee can with a tight fitting lid for use as a "porta-potty" if need be. AND DO REMEMBER TO INCLUDE A ROLL OF TOILET PAPER.
10. Copies of personal documents-medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies.
Recent events have brought this into sharp focus for our family. MAKE CERTAIN you have your Living Will current! Make extra copies "JUST IN CASE" because your life will be far less complex if you have the foresight and the forethought to take care of these details when you are not emotionally stressed.
11. Cell phones with chargers
If you have ever forgotten your charger on a trip, you know how frustrating this can be.
12. Family and emergency contact information
This is a good time to use "ICE"-- be sure to program 'in case of emergency' numbers into your phones. That way emergency responders will know who they should contact on your behalf.
13. Extra cash
I can only presume this is a cruel joke. In the first place my own wallet currently has 15 cents in nickels and what would I buy if there were an emergency? Seriously, a family would be wise to have some folding money and a full tank of gasoline on deck.
14. Emergency blanket
Maybe each family member should have his own? And might sleeping bags be good for this purpose? Our family members would each want his own pillow too.
15. Map(s) of the area
The Normanator will be only too pleased to have a map. Under ordinary condtitions, he almost sleeps with the Atlas...Might be wise to have a pencil with that map, too.
We've taken a rather lighthearted look at a potentially critical subject. You might want to consider becoming prepared. It couldn't hurt and it might make all the difference.
You can buy good sized plastic totes that hold substantial quantities of items. Creating a plan and getting your emergency kit together might make a good family projec. Gathering all your supplies and thinking through an escape plan might be a fruitful learning experience for everyone in your family.
Let's hope you never have to utilize any emergency plan or open that emergency kit, though!
Connie Baum
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