ICE: Building Family Resilience in Times of Crisis

Picture this: you're at home with your family when suddenly there's an earthquake. The ground shakes violently, and objects start falling off shelves. In the chaos, you realize that you and your loved ones must act fast to ensure everyone's safety. With no electricity and potential road damage, it may be challenging to access help immediately. That's why having a prepared family is so crucial. From knowing where to find emergency supplies to having a plan for evacuation or sheltering in place, being ready for such emergencies can significantly increase your chances of staying safe and secure. This blog post will explore how families can prepare for emergencies, organized by age level. Whether you're an adult, a teenager, or a child, knowing how to respond to a crisis can make all the difference in keeping everyone protected. Let's delve into how to ensure your family is equipped to handle unexpected challenges effectively.

Emergency Preparedness for Families with Children

Emergency Preparedness for Babies:

Let's start with the littlest members of our families. Babies have their own needs, and it's up to us to ensure they're taken care of during emergencies. In addition to diapers and formula, ensure you have essential items such as medication, shot records, allergy information, and any necessary baby supplies in your emergency kit. Remember those all-important baby wipes – a parent's best friend in any situation! When it comes to transportation, either make sure you have a sturdy pack to carry the little one or ensure that the stroller or wagon has wheels large enough to navigate over debris and rough terrain if necessary.

Emergency Preparedness for Children:

As kids age, their needs change, and so do our preparations. Children need to be taught the basics of emergency procedures and equipped with their own emergency kits. It's also essential to involve them in the planning process, empowering them to take an active role in their safety. Make sure they have a paper map of the local area and know how to read it if they don't have access to a cell phone. They should also have memorized the phone number of their caregiver and home address and a list of emergency contacts (including at least one or two out-of-state contacts). Keep this information in their school bags, medication lists, and allergies.

Emergency Preparedness for Teens:

Teenagers may think they know it all, but they still need guidance regarding emergency preparedness. From packing their bug-out bags to learning basic life skills like cooking and first aid,

there's plenty for teens to do to help out. In addition to the items mentioned above, ensure that teens have a designated meeting place where the family can gather in case communications go down. This could be a neighbor's house, a local park, or another easily identifiable location. Please encourage them to keep a paper map of the local area in their emergency kit and know how to read it. Remind them to keep their phone charged and to have a backup plan in case they lose access to their cell phone. Teach them basic car repairs, especially how to change a tire.

In challenging situations where survival is critical, it's important to remember that women have unique needs. They're often the backbone of the family, so packing smart is crucial. After all, women are the ultimate multitaskers, performing the duties of protector, nurturer, and provider. Along with basics like food and water, women should bring things like pads or tampons for their periods, any medications they need, urine funnel, birth control, or vitamins if they're pregnant. Have comfy and sturdy clothes, shoes, and a change of underwear in case Aunt Flow visits unexpectedly! Remember items to keep clean, like soap or hand sanitizer. Also, consider things for self-defense if needed. Being ready for anything means thinking about what you need to stay safe and healthy as a woman. After all, if we keep ourselves safe and maintained, we will be better able to care for others!

Stay tuned for a future blog post in which we'll delve further into women's preparedness and specific strategies for addressing their unique needs during emergencies.

Be prepared, not afraid!