For most of us, day-to-day life can feel repetitious. We wake up, head to work, come home, and before we know it, it’s time for bed. The next day, we start all over again. Because we become comfortable in our routines, it’s hard to fathom negative interruptions. Consequently, many families find themselves forced into situations where they must adapt reactively, adding stress and anxiety to an already tough position. Instead of waiting to create a plan after an emergency occurs, it’s best to be forward-thinking. Here are three ways to make sure your family is prepared for a crisis.
- Be Proactive
The first way to prepare your family for a crisis is to plan ahead. Although it’s difficult to anticipate every potential scenario that your family may encounter, it is possible to create an emergency plan that covers the basics. House fires, natural disasters, and personal injuries are three areas you can focus your attention on. Sit down with your family and create a response plan for each concern. Locate your nearest hospital, appoint a neighbor who can help in a crisis, and designate a safe meeting spot in case of a quick exit.
- Stay on top of maintenance
Next, make sure to perform regular maintenance on skills, systems, and interventions that can help in an emergency. Run escape and safety drills multiple times a year. Check alarms, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers often, and keep first-aid kits filled with fresh supplies. Stay up-to-date on CPR and Heimlich procedures, and regularly review safety rules that apply to the house.
- Check and Recheck
Last, make a habit of checking your safeguards. Use calendar reminders to prompt you to reassess the status of emergency accounts, insurance policies, and living wills. Remember to update emergency contact information, revise insurance coverage if you move (or your home value significantly increases), and update important documents that may be helpful in an emergency situation.
“Remember; when disaster strikes, the time to prepare has passed.” -Steven Cyros
No one enjoys the thought of a disaster affecting their family. But even though we hope for the best, it’s wise to prepare for the worst. Use these three tips for crisis readiness, and you and your loved ones will be better prepared to minimize the effects of any unfortunate emergencies.
