Open Magazine - Index

Open Magazine - magazine - Index

from your family and need to know how to be reunited. You
can assist in educating your children about school plans. You
need to know if your children will be kept at school until you
or a designated adult can pick them up or whether they will be
sent home or to another location on their own. Be sure that
the school has current information about how to reach parents
or responsible caregivers to arrange for pick up. Keep in mind
that during times of emergency, the school telephones may be
overwhelmed with calls.
“You should also find out about the disaster plans at your
workplace,” says Saunders. “Determine what your role is in
your building’s emergency plan, what to do if an alarm sounds
and how to evacuate the building safely.”
When asked about what people should avoid doing,
Saunders advises that you should heed emergency alerts,
including weather warnings, and avoid driving and other
outdoor activities during hazardous conditions.
Discuss with your family what you learned and prepare
an emergency plan. Post the plan where everyone will
see it—on the refrigerator or a bulletin board. Many
families have developed a fire escape plan including an
established meeting place outside of the home. This
same concept should be expanded beyond a house fire.
Prepare a Kit
“Once you have an emergency plan in place,
the next steps are to prepare a home preparedness
kit and ensure the entire family is aware of its
location,” says Saunders.
Home emergency kits can be purchased
through many retails outlets, or you can make
your own.
Disasters can strike quickly and without
warning, which is why preparedness is so
crucial. “Knowing what to do during an
emergency will help to control the situation
and (allow you to) be in a position to
recover more quickly,” says Saunders.
Planning and preparedness can help to
reduce what Saunders referred to as the
“mind freeze moment.” When faced
with a critical situation, it is human
nature for panic to affect your ability
to react. Having a plan clearly in mind
can help you get past this
and to take effective,
immediate action.
A
home emergency kit
should include:
Flashlight and batteries;
Radio and batteries;
First aid kit;
Extra car keys and cash;
Important papers such as IDs, personal
and insurance documents;
Canned food and bottled water for three
days and a manual can opener (Replace
canned food and dry goods twice
yearly—when daylight savings starts
and ends are ideal times.);
One change of clothing and shoes;
Blankets or sleeping bags;
Toilet paper and personal supplies;
Medications;
A whistle to attract attention;
If you have pets, remember their
needs as well.
Plan ahead with this
checklist:
� Call your local Canadian Red Cross or
provincial Emergency Management Office;
� Find out which disasters are likely to occur in
your area;
� Ask how to prepare for each situation;
� Ask how you would be warned of an
emergency;
� Learn your community’s evacuation routes and
emergency plans;
� Ask about special assistance for elderly or
disabled persons;
� Ask about your workplace emergency plans;
� Learn about emergency plans for your
children’s school or daycare centre;
For more information about emergency
preparedness, visit www.redcross.ca.
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