Scared or prepared, planning makes a 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 care about 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 are prepared.

Here are seven tips for the perfect Family Disaster Plan or FDP to help ensure you and your family have the protection and peace of mind of 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 get 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 Family Disaster Plan on glossy paper for easy viewing. 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 needs to 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. The storage of water reserves or the purification of contaminated water should also be among your top priorities. At a minimum, stock 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 likely be the case. Write on your FDP where your emergency water storage is located.

Create Backpacking Disaster Kits

As we’ve discussed before, it can take hours, days, weeks…you just don’t know. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene, but they can’t reach everyone right away, so it’s your responsibility to be prepared. Emergency survival kits can be created yourself from a backpack or purchased online, but they should 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 warmth, tools, hygiene and sanitation, medications and extra prescription medications, eyeglasses, and anything else that can fit in a backpack 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 learn how to turn off the water at the main valve in case there are cracked water pipes that could contaminate the water supply to the house and the effects of gravity could drain water into your heater. water tanks and toilet tanks unless you trap him in your house 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 the electricity.

Natural gas leaks and explosions are responsible for a significant number of fires after disasters such as a major earthquake. It is very important to teach all responsible family members how to shut off the natural gas supply if they smell the characteristic warning gas odor or if you notice a large gas consumption registered 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. Make a note of the utility safety instructions after discussing them with your family and insert them into your FDP notebook.

Make a Home Hazards Checklist and Action List

Deaths, injuries, and property damage from earthquakes are usually caused by falling and moving objects. You will most likely be at 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 meeting to do a Home Hazards Checklist and 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. event of a disaster. Record these findings and action list in your FDP notebook and schedule another family meeting to start preventive maintenance on your home.

Food Storage and Rotation Tips

Here are some things to keep in mind when preparing your emergency food supplies. Store items that will keep for a long time wisely and date everything. Establish a Method whereby if you fill a pantry or basement with canned goods, put new purchases in the back and remove old cans from the front. Slanted shelves can be built that allow newer cans to roll forward as older cans are taken. Learn from experience by letting your family taste what you’ve stored will help you determine what to store in the future. For example, if those dry lima beans haven’t budged after two years, they probably won’t make anyone happy during an emergency, either. Record emergency food storage dates in your FDP notebook.

Review Plan Every 6 Months.

The plan should be reviewed and updated periodically to keep each family member current and to add or delete as needed in their FDP notebook.