Plan to be Prepared
It’s no secret that there have been many crazy things going on in the world lately… Hurricanes, fires, shootings, the list goes on. In these devastating moments you’ll want you and your family to be prepared. It is so important to have an emergency/disaster plan in place just in case anything should happen. So, take a moment, sit down with your family, and make sure everyone knows the plan.
Emergencies – Decide what type of emergencies could most likely happen where you live and make plans for each of them. Types of emergencies can include: floods, earthquakes, fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, snow storms, or any acts of terrorism.
Family Members – Make a list of each of your family members and their contact information. Be sure to include any pets that you have. Add any emergency contacts as well just in case they need to be contacted.
Read: Bags Are Packed, You’re Ready to Go
Pets – Be sure to have your pets microchipped and have id tags made for them. Talk to neighbors and friends to make a plan to help the pets if you’re not home. Have a bag that includes extra food and water for them and a crate/carrier for quick and easy transportation. If you have large animals or farm animals, research places that will accept them for temporary keeping.
Plan of Action – Make a list of responsibilities and delegate them to each family member. Ensure that everyone knows and understands their duties. Create a complete plan of action, including a rendezvous point if you cannot make it back home. If you have children at school or daycare, make sure they know who to contact and where they can take them. You can download plan forms at www.redcross.org. Or, if you live in San Diego County, you should download the SD Emergency app (https://www.readysandiego.org/SDEmergencyApp/). With the app, you can create an emergency plan, receive notifications when your emergency kit has expired, get notified with emergency updates, and view emergency maps and shelter locations.
Practice – Practice the plan, keep it fresh in you and your family’s mind, and update the plan whenever it is necessary.
Mark Yourself as Safe – After an emergency or disaster has occurred, take a moment to mark yourself as “Safe”. You can do this through social media or by making a call or text to your friends and loved ones. There is a website where you can register yourself as safe at Safe and Well (https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms//) or by calling 1-800-733-2767.
