Conversations of Preparedness

 

Courtesy Image of Ready 

This month is the best time to start a conversation with your family, friends, and with your community for preparing for natural disasters. September is National Preparedness Month and this year's theme is about starting conversations with friends, family, and neighbors. "Start a Conversation" is a theme which is necessary especially if your children have a tough time understanding natural disasters. Additionally having a conversation can help everyone be prepared and feel safe. The more prepared and calm you are, the more your entire family can feel safe, calm, and prepared. 

Have a list of natural disasters such as earthquakes, thunderstorms, tropical storms, hurricanes, landslides, wildfires, droughts, floods, and another natural phenomenon. Create a checklist for preparing for an earthquake before, during, and after it occurs. As well as having a safety plan for wildfires, hurricanes, floods, snowstorms. Be prepared for evacuations and have a list of emergency shelters. Furthermore, have a list of telephone numbers and addresses of family members. 

Conversations of preparedness permits you and your family to be alert and to understand natural disasters. It helps you to have a plan in case there are evacuations and in case your family gets separated during the natural disaster. Understanding severe weather reports and paying attention to emergency alerts is necessary for developing two safety plans. One safety plan for the family and another personal safety plan. Know what to expect and have an emergency supply kit. 

Get books and do research about natural disasters. Read many books and books with pictures for your children to understand storms, earthquakes, wildfires, and severe weather. Explain natural disasters in a calm manner and with appropriate books for their age. Answer their questions and their concerns; But do not make them feel more afraid. Nonetheless, audio books can also be helpful for having a conversation about natural disasters. 

Make sure they feel safe, comfortable, and that they are honest in expressing their feelings. Be aware that some children are visual learners and might need picture books or puppets for a conversation about natural phenomenon. Let them pack a safety backpack with supplies for their emergency kit. Also, have extra blankets, stuff animals, and activities for them so they can be busy after an earthquake occurs. Last, remain calm so your children can remain calm during and after a natural disaster.

If your children do not want to have a conversation about a natural disaster, let them know you are there for them. Also, there are some educational movies that instruct kids about natural disasters and are animated. Pack extra clothes, hygiene products, medicines, first-aid kits, magazines, books, and other items for your entire family. Besides having a conversation about preparing for severe weather, sign up and participate in safety training CPR classes. There are safety training CPR classes for children beginning at nine years old. 

Nevertheless, download apps to get emergency alerts. Update your personal and family safety plans every year. Make an evacuation plan, action safety plan, and a family safety plan for the common natural disasters in your area. Have whistles, extra batteries, and a power generator as well as a binder to keep your safety plans. Here are resources for National Preparedness Month. 

Plan Ahead for Disasters-Ready:

Plan Ahead for Disasters-Ready

Extreme Heat Safety-Heat Exhaustion Safety-Red Cross:

Extreme Heat Safety-Heat Exhaustion Safety-Red Cross

* Courtesy Image by Ready