Disaster Planning: Tips for Making a Plan
Plans give directions to all our actions. It aligns things we do towards a goal we’ve set. Some of the plans we do in our lives concern our career, our daily schedules, our future, even our everyday meals. There is a plan, however, that seems to be neglected by a lot of people. This is our home disaster plan.
However cruel it may sound, we need to lay the basic things our family should do in case of a disaster. Be it natural or man-made, disasters may cause family members to be separated, trapped in our homes or keep us out of the safety of our homes. No one really wishes for disasters to happen, but in case they do, it is very wise to have all the members of your family alert and knowledgeable of things that should be done.
Here are some guidelines in setting your own home disaster plan.
Learn the different types of disaster that usually occur in the place where you live. If you’re living there for some time, you may have heard or experienced these but in case you’re new to your place, check out its history through literature, news or the internet.
Acquire information about the disaster plans in your community, workplace and even in your children’s school. This will serve as a good starting point in setting your own home disaster plan. It will also be valuable in case one or more family members are away from your home when disasters occur.
Plan how to contact each family member in case you are not together when a disaster occurs. Include two safe meeting places outside of your house but within your neighborhood, in case it is not safe to go home and a meeting place outside your neighborhood when disaster strikes and makes it an unsafe place to stay.
List all emergency contact numbers near your phone unit. More importantly, let every member of the family memorize a contact number of a friend or relative whom you’ve arranged to help you in case of a disaster. Coordinate with this friend or relative on what to do in case they receive an emergency call.
Set up two escape rooms in your house. An emergency exit with a ladder or rope should be situated in the second floor. This is very useful when the hallways and the first floor become dangerous to pass through.
Every adult and child should be taught how to shut off home utilities such as electricity, gas and water. However, it should be emphasized that in case things get out of control, the major thing to do is not to save your house but to save lives.
Finally, learn first aid, CPR and other lifesaving skills. These trainings are offered by different organizations in your community.
We all want to be safe but there are disasters that are beyond our control. The only thing we could do is be prepared, alert, avoid panic and arm ourselves and our loved ones with an efficient home disaster plan.
