| Why is the only time we think about getting | | | | an emergency. My family's location that is close to |
| prepared when disaster has already struck? So | | | | home is my office. It is a two-floor structurally |
| often, we hear about disasters and think "I really | | | | sound building that is inland and only 3 minutes |
| should get a plan and things together in case of | | | | from home. Our out-of-town location is at Aunt |
| an emergency," but most of us never get around | | | | Betty's house. Everyone in the family knows to |
| to doing anything about it. September is National | | | | call Betty first in the case of an emergency. Also, |
| Preparedness Month, sponsored by the U.S. | | | | we all have her phone number memorized |
| Department of Homeland Security. On their | | | | because you never know where you will be and |
| website, they list the simple steps to take to get | | | | what you will have when disaster strikes." |
| your family prepared for an emergency. | | | | Here is the three step plan for getting prepared |
| Alicia on "The Peace of Mind of Being Prepared | | | | for the unexpected: |
| for the Unexpected" | | | | #1: Get a Kit |
| 'Just thinking about disaster striking is enough to | | | | When preparing for an emergency, it is important |
| raise our anxiety levels ten times. Many people | | | | to think about the basics for survival. The "big 4" |
| simply decide not to think about emergencies until | | | | that we suggest are water, cash, food, and a |
| they strike. This stress-relieving tactic works | | | | first aid kit. Make sure that your kit has enough |
| most of the time, but the subconscious fears you | | | | supplies for each family member for five days. |
| have cannot stay hidden forever. To achieve true | | | | Imagine how much suffering could have been |
| piece of mind, get prepared for the unexpected. | | | | avoided after the hurricanes last year if every |
| There are three simple steps that I used to | | | | family had an emergency kit stocked with these |
| prepare my family for an emergency that I found | | | | basic four essentials. |
| on that helped me organize my family to ensure | | | | #2: Make a Plan |
| we are prepared in the event of an emergency. | | | | As Sarah talked about, make sure that your |
| The steps are Get A Kit, Make A Plan, and Be | | | | family has a meeting place close to home and |
| Informed. It is simple to do, takes only a few | | | | out-of-town in case of an emergency. It is also |
| hours and once you get rolling, you will feel so | | | | important to have a family contact that is |
| much better.' | | | | out-of-state who can separately communicate |
| Sarah on " What's the Plan, Stan?" | | | | with all family members. In case of an emergency |
| "Step two of the three step process to getting | | | | that does not require an evacuation, talk to your |
| prepared is making a family plan. No one knows | | | | neighbors about how everyone can work |
| where they will be when an emergency strikes, | | | | together during an emergency. Make sure |
| and if the power and phone lines fail, it is | | | | everyone knows the plan and stick to it! Once |
| impossible to organize everyone's whereabouts | | | | you have a plan, set aside a family dinner every |
| without a predetermined plan. Pick a location close | | | | six months to review together. |
| to home and one out-of-town to meet in case of | | | | |