Family Disaster Preparedness Tips
No matter where you live, YOU should take personal responsibility and prepare yourself, your family and your property BEFORE disasters or natural disasters strike. Take time to learn about what disasters might occur where you live. Remember, it’s not a matter of IF, but WHEN a disaster of some type might affect you or a loved one. The best thing you can do to deal with any type of disaster is ... Be Aware, Be Prepared and Have a Plan! The following tips can help you prepare your family over a four-month period. Don't get overwhelmed by this process, just tackle one step a week. It could mean the difference between life and death.
- A Month of Family Preparedness: Disaster Preparedness Kit
- A Month of Family Preparedness: Fire Safety
- A Month of Family Preparedness: Summer Safety
- A Month of Family Preparedness: Holiday Safety
A Month of Family Preparedness:
Disaster Preparedness Kit
Week 1:
First Aid Kits
How well a family copes with disaster is often directly affected by their preparedness. While the skies are blue, take time to prepare for the unexpected. Start with the basics: this week, put a first aid kit in each vehicle and another in a convenient place at home.
Week 2:
Update Emergency Information
It’s time to update emergency contact information. It happens — we forget to inform our children’s schools, the doctor’s office and our employers about address and phone number changes. We even forget to remind our children who to call in case of emergency. Pick a local and an out-of-town relative or friend to act as points-of-contact in case of separation after a disaster or emergency. If your kids are too young to memorize phone numbers, create and laminate an emergency contact card for them to carry in their backpacks. (Also, help your children understand how 911 works.)
Week 3:
Disaster Kit Scavenger Hunt
A family disaster preparedness kit does not have to be costly — many of the items for your family’s kit may be found around your house. Visit the Diocese of Little Rock Web site: www.dolr.org, and under “Disaster Resources” download the “Family Disaster Preparedness Plan” from Catholic Charities USA. Make a game of getting prepared — this checklist is a perfect scavenger hunt list for you and your kids. Once you have your kit together, keep it in a convenient place, and remember to check expiration dates at least every six months.
(Special note to parish and schools: If you use this brief in your bulletin or newsletter, use the above brief if the “Family Disaster Preparedness Plan” is NOT included in your bulletin or newsletter.)
Disaster Kit Scavenger Hunt
A family disaster preparedness kit does not have to be costly — many of the items for your family’s kit may be found around your house. Check out the attached “Family Disaster Preparedness Plan” from Catholic Charities USA. Make a game of getting prepared — this checklist is a perfect scavenger hunt list for you and your kids. Once you have your kit together, keep it in a convenient place, and remember to check expiration dates at least every six months.
(Special note to parish and schools: If you use this brief in your bulletin or newsletter, use the above brief if the “Family Disaster Preparedness Plan” IS included in your bulletin or newsletter.)
Week 4:
Learning Never Ends
No matter where you live, YOU should take personal responsibility and prepare yourself, your family and your property BEFORE disasters or natural disasters strike. Take time to learn about what disasters might occur where you live. Remember, it’s not a matter of IF, but WHEN a disaster of some type might affect you or a loved one. The best thing you can do to deal with any type of disaster is ... Be Aware, Be Prepared and Have a Plan! If you have a calling to assist your local community in preparing for and recovering from disasters, join your local parish disaster team and lend a hand. If your parish doesn’t have a disaster team and you’re interested in forming one, call Bridget Barcenas, at (501) 664-0340 Ext. 420, to learn more.
Source: "Family Emergency and Disaster Planning Guide: An Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, Prevention and Basic First Aid Manual" from the Disaster Response Office of Catholic Charities of Arkansas. Purchase a copy for your family for just $5 by contacting Bridget Barcenas.
A Month of Family Preparedness:
Fire Safety
Week 1:
ABCs of Fire Safety
Take time this week to have your fire extinguishers checked. Make sure you have ABC fire extinguishers in your home and teach family members how to use them. (ABC works on all types of fires and is recommended for home use. Please read the extinguisher’s label.) Check the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Remember, test alarms one- to four-times a month, replace batteries once a year, and get new units every 10 years.
Week 2:
Make a Plan to Get out SAFELY and Get out FAST!
Since fire spreads so quickly, there is NO time to grab valuables or make a phone call. In TWO minutes a fire can become life threatening, and in FIVE minutes, a house can become engulfed in flames. This week, work on planning: how do we get out of each room, and the house, if there is a fire? There should be at least two ways to get out of each room; walk through the routes with each member of the family. Also, be sure to talk to your kids about the importance of not playing with matches, cigarette lighters, the stove or electrical outlets.
Week 3:
Stop, Drop and ROLL!
It’s never a bad idea to encourage your kids to practice what to do if their clothing catches fire. Explain the importance of not panicking, and then don’t just tell them to “stop, drop, and roll”, actually, STOP, DROP and ROLL with them. Who knows, maybe there’s even a slight slope in your backyard and you can relive your childhood by rolling down the hill. (But first, make sure there aren’t any rocks in the way!)
Week 4:
Your Local Fire Department
What better way to teach your children about fire safety than by visiting your local fire department? Don’t just drop in, try to schedule a convenient time for your visit — just keep in mind that emergencies happen, and the wonderful men and women protecting your community have certain duties that come first. (Remember to send a thank you card!) If a visit is not possible, take a stroll with your kids past the nearest fire station so they at least know where they can go for help.
Source: "Family Emergency and Disaster Planning Guide: An Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, Prevention and Basic First Aid Manual" from the Disaster Response Office of Catholic Charities of Arkansas. Purchase a copy for your family for just $5 by contacting Bridget Barcenas.
A Month of Family Preparedness:
Summer Safety
Week 1:
Water, Water, Everywhere ...
Water is an important part of hot, Arkansas summers — be sure to stay hydrated and encourage your kids to drink water instead of sugary drinks (although Gatorade™-like drinks can help replace spent electrolytes.) For the adults, beer might seem refreshing on a hot day, but it actually dehydrates the body and causes more harm than good. A tall glass of water is the best option for everyone.
Week 2:
It’s Hot, Hot, HOT! Avoiding Heat Stroke
Of course we want our children to play outside — but keep an eye on that thermometer. When the temperature goes up very much, it’s a good idea to encourage the kids to stay inside and stay cool, at least during the peak heat hours (10 a.m. – 3 p.m.). Visiting the public library might be a good option ... after all, we don’t want their brains to go to mush while school is out.
Week 3:
Sunscreen, Sunscreen, Sunscreen
Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going outside, so that it can be absorbed and protect your skin. (SPF 30 or higher with a 3 or 4 star UVA rating is best.) You usually burn within the first 10 minutes outside, and sunburn reduces your body’s ability to cool itself, which can be extremely dangerous, so take care of your skin. Sunny day or cloudy day, if you can see your shadow, you’re receiving UV rays and can get sunburned.
Week 4:
Check for Ticks
You may think ticks are insects, but they’re actually bloodsucking arachnids (spiders). Since they feast on one spot for days, they can spread bacteria from host to host. The main threat of ticks is the risk of illness/disease (like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever or tick paralysis). It’s important to find a tick before it feasts for days and remove it slowly with head intact so it doesn’t spew bacteria into the blood stream. To avoid ticks, wear light-colored pants, a long-sleeve shirt (to see ticks), and a hat (to keep out of hair); also, tuck in (pants in socks and shirt in pants). Do full-body checks a couple of times a day during tick season and use tick repellent with DEET.
Source: "Family Emergency and Disaster Planning Guide: An Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, Prevention and Basic First Aid Manual" from the Disaster Response Office of Catholic Charities of Arkansas. Purchase a copy for your family for just $5 by contacting Bridget Barcenas.
A Month of Family Preparedness:
Holiday Safety
Week 1:
Shopping Safely
Holiday shopping presents its own unique challenges and dangers; rushed, preoccupied shoppers are particularly vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime. Take time to be more careful, aware and prepared this year. Shop during daylight hours whenever possible. If you must go out at night, go with a friend or family member. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry; don’t carry large amounts of cash. In order to have better visibility and freedom of movement to avert mishaps, don’t overload yourself with packages. By planning ahead and being patient, your holiday shopping will be a much smoother experience. Merry Christmas!
Week 2:
Slippery Slopes: Winter Travel
Winter storms can last for many days and may include high winds, freezing rain, sleet or hail, heavy snowfall and extreme cold. Blocked roads and downed power lines can shut down a whole area. The leading cause of death during winter storms is automobile accidents. If you don’t have to get out when the roads are icy, then you shouldn’t. The best way to protect your family from a winter accident is to plan ahead before the cold weather begins, so you don’t have to get out.
Week 3:
Heart Attacks
Did you know the second leading cause of death during winter storms is heart attacks? Cold temperatures cause arteries to tighten, restricting blood flow and reducing the oxygen supply to the heart. There is more oxygen demand by the heart because it is working harder to do the work and maintain body heat, all of which can set the stage for a heart attack. So, when working outdoors, it’s easy to overdo it. Before you go out to shovel snow or start your new exercise routine, learn about your personal heart attack risk.
Week 4:
Brrrrrr ... It’s Cold! Beware of Hypothermia
During the winter months, hypothermia is very common with the elderly, who sometimes die inside their homes because it is so cold. Hypothermia sets in when the body core (vital organs -- heart, lungs and kidneys) drops below 95°F. When exposed to extreme cold for a long time, the brain begins to shut down certain bodily functions to save internal heat for the core. Try to periodically check on elderly or disabled neighbors. If they are experiencing shivering and numbness, confusion or dizziness, stumbling and weakness, slow or slurred speech, or are in shock -- contact emergency assistance immediately!
Week 5:
Cover that Cough! Cold and Flu Season
There are no known cures for colds and flu, so cold and flu prevention should be your goal. Most cold and flu viruses are spread by direct contact, so covering your coughs and frequent hand washing are the best ways to limit the spread of these viruses. Vaccinations are also proven to be effective in preventing the onset of the flu. (Consult your doctor to ensure that you are healthy enough to be vaccinated).
Source: "Family Emergency and Disaster Planning Guide: An Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, Prevention and Basic First Aid Manual" from the Disaster Response Office of Catholic Charities of Arkansas. Purchase a copy for your family for just $5 by contacting Bridget Barcenas.