How To Make A Family Emergency Plan
Hurricane season is coming up. Time to make or review your family emergency plan, storm preps, and family emergency contact lists. Hopefully, you won’t need it, but Mother Nature may have other plans.
“Better to have, and not need than to need and not have.” Franz Kafka
If you have not made a family emergency plan or need a better one, All-In Hauling has you covered.
It is as easy as 1 – 2 – 3!
- Write Your Family Emergency Plan
- Practice the Plan with Your Family
- Update Your Plan Annually
Step 1: Write your Family Emergency Plan
You may be thinking, “This sounds good, but where do I start?”
We have created a Family Emergency Plan for you to make writing your family plan easier. Just print it, fill in your family’s details and post it on your fridge.
Section 1: List of Family Members & Contact Information
First, write down all of your family members’ names that you want the plan to cover. Don’t forget to add your extended family who may be living alone and your pets.
You will want to list
- Each Person’s Name
- Relationship title – parents, child #1, child #2, child #3, grandma, etc.
- All those with cell phones or work phones
- Pet details
Section 2: Plan of Action
In this section, you need to identify the potential dangers and likely scenarios. Then write up the solutions together.
- Identify dangers in your area
- Know your home’s emergency exits
- Create a solution for “if” you get separated
- Designate Alternate meet-up points
- Designate an out of area emergency contact to better coordinate messages
Dangers in Your area
In Montgomery County and the surrounding areas, “dangers in the area” include flooding, high winds, heat waves, rains, possible twisters, and various wildlife.
Your Home’s Emergency Exits
When disaster strikes, you may not be able to use your regular routes. Map out how to get out of your house if your hallways and main doors are blocked.
The ‘What If” You are Separated Scenario
No one likes to think about what happens if you get separated from your loved ones during a disaster. However, acknowledge this potential and designate meet-up points on your property, neighborhood, and community.
Being Evacuated or Can’t Return Home?
Usually, meeting at home would be a safe spot. However, in some cases, that is not possible. You may be required to evacuate and stay out. Designate additional meet-up points in your neighborhood and community and have alternative routes to these places.
Out of Area Emergency Contact
If your household is separated and cannot contact each other, designate an emergency contact outside of the area. Everyone will need to call this person so the designated emergency contact can pass all of the messages to everyone and family outside the affected area.
Section 3: Everyone has a Part to Play
Give everyone a job.
Even if the job is small, inclusion is personally empowering and validating. Inclusion also reinforces the concepts of teamwork, mutual accountability, and love.
Recognize that it is everyone’s responsibility to keep the family safe. Then allow everyone to do their part.
Section 4: Notes
There will always be more to write down.
For example, each season brings with it a different set of challenges. Put your solutions to these season challenges here. Use this knowledge when you do your annual review.
Step 2: Practice, Practice, Practice
Time has a way of dimming memories and essential facts.
Practice at least once a season or every three months. Use the season change to test your family emergency plan.
What works in the heat of summer may not work in the fog of winter. Reassess your preparations and plan accordingly.
Step 3: Review & Revise Your Family Emergency Plan Annually
Review your family’s emergency plan every year:
- Add what you have learned
- Include any changes to your family
There is little more heartbreaking than the panic of being unprepared in an emergency. That is why we at All-In Hauling have created this downloadable family emergency plan to help you in the case of an emergency.
We take the safety of our customers, our hometown, Texas, and our families seriously.
For more ideas on how All-In Hauling can free up your life, call us at (936) 445-8159.
