5 Emergency Preparedness Tips from Dad
Just in time for Father’s Day, we wanted to honor all those amazing dads out there who prepare their families for emergency situations through sharing the skills and knowledge needed to stay safe. Over the years, our Dad knew when something was on our mind, what to do to make us feel happy when we were sad, but also shared the importance of being prepared. Our dad continuously shared what steps to take in order to prepare for a disaster, so here are a few preparedness tips we’ve learned from the head of our household.
Make a plan with your family before disaster strikes
Always have a plan for your family before an emergency occurs so when one does you know exactly what steps to begin taking. Have a location and connection plan so you’ll know how to reconnect with your loved ones. Dad always said having a point person who lives out of the area to check in with is a good idea because making long distance calls are usually easier to do in a location-based emergency.
Have a Kit and Know What’s In It
It’s not enough to just have a disaster preparedness kit on hand if you have to know its contents or how to use them. The last thing you’re going to want to have to do in an emergency is figure out how to use your equipment properly. Familiarize yourself now and you won’t be sorry later. Take a look at our survival kits here.
Prepare For Pets
Pets are part of the family too and our dad always made sure to prepare for them ahead of time as well. You’ll want to customize a prep kit for them that includes food, leashes, bedding, and anything else you think they will need to evacuate the home.
Prepare an Emergency Contact Card for Each Family Member
Having an emergency contact card that you put in your wallet or purse can be very helpful and potentially lifesaving in any sort of emergency. For small children, a contact bracelet may be a good idea. Make sure the contact card includes all past medical history, allergies, as well as a local and out of town contact. This will make sure rescue workers have all the information they need during or after an emergency situation.
Practice Makes Perfect
Another important tip that our Dad gave us is that practice always helps make a plan go as smoothly as possible. He would suggest to practice any fire, evacuation, or emergency drill at least twice a year. If you know exactly what to do in an emergency you will be able to stay focused and clear, and feel more confident in quick decision making. Remember, less stress always leads to better results.
Stay safe and happy this Father’s Day and check back for more tips soon!
Are You Financially Prepared For An Emergency Situation?
Natural disasters can happen at any given moment. While having necessary supplies in case of an emergency situation is critical for survival, financial preparedness continues to be on the back burner for many people.
We must remember that even though a natural disaster’s focus is safety and survival, the recovery process can be extremely costly. Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005 serve as examples of just how costly natural disasters can be.
See the Top 5 Most Expensive Natural Disasters in History: http://ow.ly/Mo6u300ORtJ
Putting an extra debit card away in your preparedness kit may not be enough. Check out 3 tips to get you financially prepared for a disaster:
- Start a Separate Savings Account in your Bank
Already have a savings account? Avoid being tempted to spend money from your emergency fund. Make sure to keep your spending, savings, and emergency savings separate so you don’t end up borrowing money from the funds that could help you during a natural disaster.
- Put Cash Away in your Preparedness Kit
Power lines may be down during a natural disaster, or you may not have access to an ATM machine near your home. Put cash cash away in a discreet container, and be careful not to add too many smaller bills for the sake of space.
- Add a Pre-paid Debit Card to your Preparedness Kit
A great way to add diversity into your emergency fund is by adding a pre-paid debit card to your preparedness kit. This can be helpful in the event that a natural disaster results in banks to take security measures that may freeze accounts.
Get financially prepared and stay safe! We can help: FirstMyFamily.com
National Hurricane Preparedness Week 2016
National Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 15 through May 21, 2016. History has taught us that it is not enough to be aware of the many natural disasters that may threaten our families, we must prepare accordingly. With often speeds of over 160 miles an hour and more than 2.4 trillion gallons of rain a day, hurricanes are definitely among the deadliest of natural disasters. Is your family prepared for a potential hurricane threat? Even if you live nowhere near a hurricane zone, you never know what the future holds, which is precisely why preparedness is so important.
Peace of mind. Is that possible during or after a natural disaster? It may not be, but being prepared with a plan that includes specific steps for family members to take can definitely help provide direction during a time of uncertainty.
Download a family emergency plan today at: http://bitly.com/FamEmergencyPlan
A proper, functional preparedness kit could be the difference between life and death during a natural disaster. Injuries, lack of food, and of course weather are all situations that need to be anticipated, and therefore supplied in every preparedness kit. In the event that help is on the way to you and your family, tools for prolonged survival and are key.
Download a supply checklist today at: http://bit.ly/PrepSupplyChecklist
Whether you’re a preparedness pro or a curious beginner, we’re here to help throughout your entire preparedness journey. Begin building your family's emergency preparedness kit today: FirstMyFamily.com