When working with a new client, they often ask “Cari, I have a kit in my car and a kit at home… so I am prepared, Right? My response is, “well, if there was an emergency RIGHT NOW, would you know what to do?” 99.9% of the time, they say NO! While getting prepared does include having kits for your home, car and office, without a plan, you’re not prepared.
Before you create your evacuation plan, it is important to:
- Involve your entire family, including any caregivers for your children. Make sure that you plan on sharing responsibilities and working together as a team. This is especially important for kids (age-appropriate) because it empowers them rather than scares them. If there is an emergency situation where your family needs to leave your home, everyone can remain calm because they know his or her job!
- Have a plan for each type of disaster. Review what you will do in different situations including earthquake, fire and severe weather.
- I always tell my clients that once you have your plan in place DO NOT CHANGE YOUR PLAN. It’s important that everyone in the family is in the know, and changing it can create confusion.
- Be flexible and collaborative in the moment. We try to imagine every scenario possible, but that is next to impossible. In regards to your plan, USE COMMON SENSE. If during an emergency, the plan you created works, put it into place. If there is a better plan in the moment, then put that into place. Remember to call your emergency contacts and Out of State contact to let them know you feel there is a better plan so that everyone is on the same page.
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Three components of a successful Emergency Plan:
1. CONTACTS:
Create an Emergency phone numbers list complete with local family members and friends, and an out of town contact. Make sure to notify your out of town contact of your plan so they can remind everyone in the event of a disaster. Your family may not be together when a disaster strikes so make sure you plan how you will contact one another. Cell phones within the area might not be working so it is important to have an out of town contact who knows your plan.
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2. EVACUATION PLAN:
Firstly, if you can stay at home, do not leave. Majority of times, the safest place to be in the event of an emergency is at home.
If you are at home, and you need to leave the home (e.g. a fire), create a escape route and practice it at least 2 times a year. To decide the best way to evacuate your home, consider this:
- If you choose to evacuate from a 2nd floor window, make sure your escape route is free from all obstructions including trees, bushes, and air conditioners, and add an escape ladder under a bed or in a nearby closet.
- If you live in a one-story house, decide if it’s safer to exit the front door or back door.
Designate a meeting place. If you must leave your home, or you are not at home when a disaster strikes, choose places that everyone is familiar with. If it is a park, then choose the exact location that you will meet (e.g. the tree next to the women’s bathroom). Remember that you will not be the only people meeting at the park. If you have a very specific meeting place your family will know EXACTLY where to meet.
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3. PLAN FOR THE KIDS:
Creating a plan for getting the children at home or out of the home is important, especially if you have more than one child. If you’re at home, think about how your home is laid out. Can one person get to both children? If your kids are younger, you might want to have one parent get one child and the other parent get the other child.
What if something happens during school hours? Do you have a nanny? Can she get one of the children? Should she stay with the other child? Make sure to familiarize yourself with the emergency plan for your child’s school (here’s more on that), and designate who will go retrieve the children and in what order.
While one parent or caregiver is retrieving the children, consider who will get the Emergency Kits and supplies. Also, if you have pets, make sure you plan for them too.
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For more information and to order your Emergency Kit, visit www.emergencycafe.com.
