Has the pandemic left you thinking more about your family’s safety? Well, there’s no better time than the present to rework your family’s emergency plans. Aside from adding provisions for another pandemic surge, you also need to think about other steps needed to keep you and your children safe during an emergency. So, the National Foster Parent Association invites you to use these tips to pull your new plans together.
Reassess and Re-Stock Your Emergency Kits
If you lost power to your home for an extended period of time, would your family be able to see their way through the dark? If you answered “no” to this question, it may be time to update your home’s emergency kit.
Including multiple flashlights, lanterns and even headlamps is a great way to ensure that your family will still be able to safely move around your home without having to rely on potentially dangerous candles. Headlamps are particularly handy, since you can move about with your hands free. If you pick some up, just make sure you look for ones that are bright, durable and long-lasting. Other essentials to include your home’s emergency preparedness kit include bottled water, canned foods and a stocked first aid kit.
Reevaluate and Discuss Your Emergency Plans
Having a family emergency plan is crucial for keeping your loved ones safe in the event of a crisis or natural disaster, but it is also important to update that plan to fit any changing societal conditions. In the case of a COVID-19 resurgence, for instance, you may need to include provisions for staying safe in public in the event that an emergency forces you to leave your home. If your family needs to shelter in a public space due to a natural disaster or emergency, you need to make sure you all have face coverings, hand sanitizer (which you can make using the instructions above) and an understanding of social-distancing best practices.
Revisit Safety Protocols and Procedures
Take the time to map out a plan with the entire family in the event that you have to leave the home, whether it’s a fire, weather event or some other natural disaster. Practice this plan together so that everyone knows what they need to do to get out safely. This might include having a meeting place, and making older children take charge of younger children.
Security is also worth considering here too, regardless of whether you have to leave or stay in place. While a reliable security system and motion detector lights can be a deterrent for burglars or thieves, you need additional security that works without electricity. For example, place thorny bushes strategically around your home, opt for motion detector lights that use solar power and have strong, traditional deadbolts added to each exterior door. If you’re not comfortable adding new locks yourself, reach out to local locksmith services to find a professional who can easily make this change. Just be sure to find someone who has great reviews, reasonable prices and a considerable amount of experience.
Review and Update Your Will and Legal Documents
As a parent, you hope that being prepared for emergencies will keep you and your family safe from harm, but unfortunately this may not always be the case. Preparing for the unthinkable that can come along with unexpected emergencies is also something that you should do to ensure that your loved ones are protected in the event of a tragedy, and this includes making any needed updates to your estate plans.
As Fidelity explains, your estate plan should include a will that appoints legal guardians for your children, as well as provisions for helping your family remain financially stable. As part of this planning, you should consider updating your insurance coverages to ensure that your home, your health, and your life is fully protected. Life insurance is vital for both working and stay-at-home parents, so this can be a good time to start researching the different types of policies available and which is best for your family.
Starting an emergency savings fund should also be part of your planning, which can provide some peace of mind if emergencies regarding your home or health result in unforeseen expenses.
There’s no better time than a global pandemic to review and update your family’s emergency and safety plans. Evaluate your family’s personal circumstances, make provisions, and establish plans. Doing so can keep your family protected both now and in the future, and can provide some much-needed peace of mind for you.