Coming Up with a Family Emergency Plan

2/27/2018 (Permalink)

Coming Up with a Family Emergency Situation Plan

None of us like to think about emergencies that threaten our homes and loved ones. We’ve all seen pictures on the news and social media, and we know what it looks like. It’s terrifying and can leave us feeling helpless and paralyzed.

A good Family Emergency Plan can help everyone you care about feel a lot safer and in control, including yourself.

Assess the people who live with you. Do you have children or elderly people in your home? Do you have pets or livestock in your Waycross home? Make sure you think of these people and creatures when you are building your plan, as they are much more helpless than you and will need extra assistance.

Communication is of the utmost importance. Does every family member have access to a phone, both landline and cell phone? Make sure everyone understands how to use those phones, and that they have the access codes to unlock them should they need to use them in an emergency. Elderly people often don’t have the experience with more modern forms of communication; don’t assume that they know how a cell phone works or that they know how to text. Instead, go over the basics with them to ensure they will know what to do should the need arise. Everyone should know emergency numbers; memorizing “911” is something even the youngest person can do.

Be well informed; watch the news. You can get the news many different ways these days, so information about coming bad weather or wildfires, etc. should be readily available to everyone in the Waycross area. Make wise choices and think ahead. Don’t gamble with the weather; it’s much better to be safe than sorry. If emergency personnel come to your home or business and urge evacuation from the Georgia area, listen to them and follow their direction.

Make sure your family and loved ones are very clear in their understanding of your plan and that they understand that they need to follow that plan to the letter, so that everyone can be safe and covered during a water or fire emergency. Ensure that you talk to each person to see what they feel their capability level is. If they cannot move quickly on their own, assign someone to go to them immediately to assist them.

In case of a house-fire, have an escape route planned out, and if possible, more than one. Make sure windows are in working order and that each family member knows exactly what to do if there is a fire in the home. Teach everyone the fire safety rule “Stop, drop, and roll” - even the smallest children. You can make it into a game so that they memorize it and can use the process at a moment’s notice. Make a map of your home and memorize it so that you know exactly which window goes to which room, in case fire department personnel need to enter your home that way to conduct a rescue during the fire.

Research plans suggested by your local emergency crews such as fire and police, and use their suggestions and best practices to help your own family and loved ones be safe. It can be a matter of life and death.

Here at SERVPRO of Waycross, Hinesville & Douglas, we know water damage, fire damage, mold remediation, and all of your emergency service needs! If your home or office has received water damage of any kind, or any other such emergency, you can reach us at  (912) 266-8609, or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROwaycrosshinesvilledouglas.com/