Storm Preparation: 5 Life-Savers in a Natural Disaster

With this season of named storms well underway, in fact, in full swing, families need to be ready for action in the face of natural disaster or any other emergency situation coming their way. Now is not the time for laissez-faire, but time to stay informed, prepare for the worst and pray for the best! Seriously, here are five life-savers to include in your family’s emergency plan (assuming you have one!):

Communication Basic communication with the outside world and members of your family is imperative. Keep an AM/FM radio (with extra batteries). Make sure cell phones are charged and keep a car-style charger to recharge if needed. If you have teens, same goes for their phones, not so they can connect to social media, but in case it is your only lifeline. Younger children without phones should still be included in “The Plan.”

Transportation Not everyone will need to get around in a storm. Chances are that once your family is together, safe and sound, you may not need transportation. But getting from wherever you may be at the beginning of an emergency and getting all-together likely will require a car, truck, or hopefully not, a boat. Plan ahead who will drive what vehicle and mode of transport.

People power Keeping track of your family will take all of you. If you are lucky enough to live generationally or have live-in help of any kind, you will thank yourself later. Plan ahead, even before your home is in the path of the latest hurricane. Decide who will be in charge of the kids and make sure he or she knows what to do and where to go. Au Pairs from Go Au Pair help their Host Families because they are members of the family, ready to protect and care for their kids as if their own.

Supplies Basic necessities of water, food, medication and clothing should be packed as soon as you know a storm is headed your way. I can remember my mother filling the bathtub when I was a kid, because when the power goes out, you can’t flush the toilet, wash anything, or even run water for cooking! Of course, several gallons or cases of bottled water should be on hand. Three to five days of food and a week of medication should be the goal. Put fire-starters in sealed plastic bags (cotton balls dabbed with vaseline - don’t forget a lighter or matches in their own bag).

Shelter Hopefully, you will not need to leave your home. Home is the safest and best place to ride out any emergency or disaster, whenever possible. Sometimes, families need to move immediately to higher ground or to a safer area. In this case, it may be a good idea to have a camping supply bag with tents, ropes and tarps. Basic gear is fairly inexpensive to purchase, can be packed in a large tote for easy travel, and could lead to many family adventures in a non-emergency. If this is not an option, include an alternative place to go, should your family need to leave home. Most municipalities have emergency shelters, but if at all possible, plan to visit family or friends who are in a safe zone.

Given my list, if you’ve not already made a plan, and included the rest of your immediate support system in on it, this is priority ONE. If you find yourself in the path of nature’s fury this season, don’t panic. Watching and listen for updates specific to your area. Have your plan fully in place. Pack an emergency pack sooner than later (just like when baby is due). I am certainly no doomsday-worry-wart and neither should you. Instead, be alert, plan ahead so you can simply implement and focus on keeping your family out of harm’s way.