Prepping can be a stressful exercise if you are the only person in the family involved. It is far less stressful if you make it a family affair, and it makes them feel a part of it. Get their ideas and give them all tasks.
Here are some tips on how to make prepping for disaster a family affair:
1. Make It A Family Affair
Talk to your family about the importance of disaster preparedness. Help them understand that it’s not about being paranoid, it’s about being prepared. Explain that a disaster can happen at any time, and that being prepared will help your family stay safe and healthy.
2. Create A Disaster Plan
Create a disaster plan together. This plan should include things like:
- A list of important contact information, such as your family doctor, insurance company, and local emergency management office.
- A plan for how you will communicate with each other if you are separated during a disaster.
- A plan for how you will evacuate your home if necessary.
- A plan for how you will shelter in place if you cannot evacuate.
3. Assemble a disaster preparedness kit
It is important to Assemble a disaster preparedness kit, often referred to as a bug-out–bag. Now there are some that would say these are a different thing but I believe that one bag should do it all. Each person will have their own bag. The youngster’s and the senior’s bags will, of necessity, be lighter and have fewer items. The stronger members will have to carry some of the weaker members’ items.
This kit should include things like:
- Food and water for at least three days.
- First-aid supplies.
- Chronic Meds
- Flashlights and batteries.
- A battery-powered radio.
- A compass.
- A whistle.
- Garbage bags.
- Duct tape.
- A manual can opener.
- 1 set of clean cloths
- Jaket
- plastic Sheet
- Blanket or sleeping bag
4. Practice your disaster plan regularly.
Practice your disaster plan regularly. This will help make sure that everyone knows what to do in the event of a disaster.
5. Make Disaster Preparedness A Fun Family Affair.
Make disaster preparedness a fun activity. There are many ways to make disaster preparedness fun for the whole family. You can play games, watch movies, or read books about disasters. You can also go on field trips to emergency management offices or shelters.
By following these tips, you can help your family be prepared for any disaster.
6. Here are some additional tips for making disaster preparedness a family affair:
- Involve children in the planning process. Let them help you pack the disaster preparedness kit, and teach them about the different types of disasters that could happen in your area.
- Make it a game. You can turn disaster preparedness into a fun game by playing “what if” scenarios. For example, you could ask your family what they would do if there was a tornado warning.
- Set a good example. Be prepared yourself, and show your family that you take disaster preparedness seriously.
By working together, you can help your family be prepared for any disaster.
“It is better to have prepared and never to need it than to be unprepared and be in desperate need of it”.
Be Aware. Be Safe. Be Prepared!