Tag Archives: disasters

PREPARING YOUR CHILD FOR DISASTER (GUEST POST)

Sent to us by Nancy Parker.  Her bio follows this article. pb

There are many different kinds of disasters and they are always out of human control. As an adult you know how to prepare and what to do during a disaster, but what about the children? Some adults neglect to teach their child what to do base on the fact it could ‘never happen’ to them. Before it’s too late, here are ways to help you prepare your child for a disaster:

Educate: It is always good to keep your child informed of possible and potential disasters. Now this doesn’t mean that you educate them to the point where they live in fear but that they understand the potential disaster. When teaching them about disasters, keep the conversation upbeat and positive by stating that there is a solution to the disaster. Keep the conversations short, allow for questions and answer honestly.

Prepare:Always be prepared, that is the best advice for a disaster. Get the supplies that you need to help yourself during a disaster. For example if it’s preparing for bad weather, gather the tools you need like candles, emergency radios, food, water, and a first aid kit.  Teach your child what is needed in certain disasters so that they know what is available for them, if ever needed.

Plan:You should always have an emergency plan for you and your child for any dangerous situation. Teach them the first they should do for different disasters. Write out a simple and easy list that they can read. Typically that emergency plan should start with “listen to an adult’s advice and/or call 911”.

Practice:Once you have purchased the correct safety tools and figured out the right plan, practice. Practicing with your child what to do during a disaster will help them if the time comes. Explain during the practice the procedures that they need to take and why. Practice this emergency plan every few months.

Reaction: The most important advice that regency officials can give people during a disaster is to remain calm. Teach your child to remain calm during emergencies. You can do this by leading by example, if you remain calm you child is more likely to remain calm. Disasters have the potential to be worse if there is fear and panic to cause confusion and difficulty.

Disasters can’t be avoided but they can be lessened the more you are prepared and ready for one. Teaching your child this will help you and them in any future events. Remember above anything else, remain calm and work with them on the emergency plan.

 Author Bio

Nancy Parker was a professional full time nanny and she loves to write about wide range of subjects like health, Parenting, Child Care, Babysitting, nanny background check tips etc. You can reach her @ nancy.parker015 @ gmail.com

BEING READY FOR A SAFE EVACUATION

As we go to work every day, we never expect a disaster to happen.  In the event of a natural or manmade occurrence, are we really prepared?  Weather forecasts help us anticipate bad storms, hurricanes, or tornadoes, but there could be any type of problem within the walls of our workplace, or accidents near our location that make it imperative for us to evacuate the premises.  Have you thought about what you would do if an evacuation were necessary?  Has your company given you instructions? 

Preparing for an emergency evacuation is an on-going project.  Employers and employees together should establish a good plan and have every one on board before an unforeseen situation happens.  In a crisis, it’s hard to think logically, so planning in advance and imagining the worst-case scenarios will be beneficial.  Fire, floods, toxic gas releases, chemical spills, explosions, radiological accidents, hurricanes, tornadoes, civil disturbances, or workplace violence resulting in bodily harm and trauma could cause a serious emergency.  

When drafting an emergency plan, a responsible individual should be chosen to lead and coordinate the emergency plan and evacuation.  This person would have the authority to make critical decisions during emergencies.  All workers would then understand who that coordinator is and follow his instructions. 

Be certain that every employee knows the escape procedures and where safe  refuge areas are.  Duties of persons responsible for reporting the emergency; those who are to render first aid, employees who shut down operations are all parts of the chain of command that each employee should be familiar with.  Special consideration should be given to assisting employees with disabilities.  An assembly area for gathering after an evacuation should be designated.  Take a head count after the evacuation.  Give the names and last locations of the persons not accounted for to the official in charge. 

Personal protective equipment may be needed to evacuate during an emergency.  A workplace assessment can determine potential hazards in your particular workplace.  PPE may include the following: eye protection – goggles, safety glasses, or face shields; head protection – hardhats; body protection – gloves, hoods, boots, or chemical suits.  Respirators should be appropriate to the hazards in your workplace, meet OSHA standards and be certified by NIOSH.  In case of an emergency  evacuation, your safety consultant may feel that respiratory protection may be necessary if the employees must pass through toxic atmospheres, such as dust, mists, gases, or vapors. 

This is the general training to be addressed by your employees, as recommended by OSHA:

  •       Individual roles and responsibilities;
  •       Notification, warning, and communications procedures;
  •       Threats, hazards, and protective actions;
  •        How to locate family members in an emergency;
  •        Evacuation, shelter, and accountability procedures;
  •        Location and use of common emergency equipment;
  •        Emergency response procedures;
  •        Emergency shutdown procedures. 

Conducting fire drills often is very important.  The more often drills are done, the more familiar the employees will become with what is expected of them.  Hopefully, this will never affect you; however, being prepared instead of panicked could possibly save lives.

 

 

WHEN DISASTER STRIKES, ARE YOU READY OR NOT?

National Preparedness Month is in September, but we’re getting a head start by promoting the “Ready or Not” campaign, which was launched by the Texas Department of Health Services on July 8th.   This yearlong project will focus on being sure that Texans are prepared for floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, or any other natural disaster that may occur.  Each state probably has excellent disaster plans, but hopefully, we can share ideas that will help ensure that your entire family will be prepared. 

Take the time to locate important records such as names and phone numbers of your family physician, pharmacy, and your veterinarian or kennel that cares for your pets.  You need to place those documents, as well as your insurance information, social security, and other records in a plastic bag that can be easily accessed if you need to evacuate your home.  List out-of-town contacts, too.  Take a moment to also think about what you would grab, if you had to leave in a hurry, of course, including your pets.

You and your family should sit down and talk about what you will do, and where you will meet, in case your cell phones don’t work.  Think about where each one is during the biggest part of the day, and have phone numbers for work, school, and daycare.  Find out if your child’s school or daycare facilities have site-specific emergency plans and familiarize yourself with them.  

Stay tuned to your news or NOAA weather service.  If you are advised to evacuate, do so.  Families could plan to check on neighbors that they know may not be able to follow these rules if they are physically unable to get to safety.  

Supplies are a big priority.  Keeping a supply kit of many of these items in your car is a good plan:

  • Three-day supply of water, and non-perishable foods
  • Flashlight
  • Hand-operated can opener
  • Plastic plates, cups, utensils
  • First Aid Kit
  • Respirators (N-95)
  • Personal Hygiene Items
  • Garbage Bags
  • Prescription Medications
  • Cell Phone
  • Battery-powered radio
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • Maps
  • Photo in case you are separated
  • Pet needs 

We never know when disaster will strike.  Being prepared is the best way to be safe and survive.