ItsNational Preparedness Month, which means its time to verify youre ready for whatever life throws your way.
Here are some lesser-known things you should do as you establish you and your familys emergency plan.
You should also check with your local emergency management or public safety office.
Andmake sure everyone in the family is able to get warnings and alerts, not just you.
A big tree, mailbox, the end of a driveway, or a neighbors house will do.
It can be a library, place of worship, community center, or even a relatives house.
FEMA has aCommuter Emergency Plan formyou can fill out and give to everyone who needs it.
Have a Family Communication Plan In Place
When disaster strikes, communication is everything.
Make copies and keep them in your emergency kit, car, purse, wallet, and backpack.
Theres even afoldable, wallet-sized one you’re able to fill outand carry with you at all times.
Keep one posted or stashed in an easy-to-access place in your home too.
Ideally, everyone should have two people they always contact in an emergency.
Then those two people each have two people to contact, and so on.
Additionally, you should fill out the health and medical information on your smartphone if possible.
But one bag for an entire family is not ideal.
That way if people get separated they still have everything they need to survive.
A prepaid cell phone is also a great addition.
After that, take each persons individual needs into consideration.
ensure youpack formula and diapers for babies.
An old pair or prescription is fineits better to kind-of see than not see at all.
Lastly, let each family member add something personal to each of their bags that makes them feel comfortable.
It could be a favorite candy, some tea, a toy or game, or even a book.
If youre not sure what documents you should have stowed and ready to grab,weve got you covered.
Same for everyone in your family.
Now you might hop right out of bed and switch to survival mode almost instantly.
They cover disaster preparedness for everything from hurricanes to cyber attacks.
Illustration by Sam Woolley.
Photos byAaron Parecki,he who would be lost,Rex Roof, andFrederique Voisin-Demery.
