Extreme weather happens, whether we like it or not. And while we can’t control what Mother Nature may throw our way, we can at least be prepared in case of an emergency.
So what do you do aside from stocking up on essentials at the grocery store? We have three things to consider as you review your emergency plan this year.
- What’s my communication plan?
- What’s my evacuation and shelter plan?
- What can I do now to prepare before the storm hits?
Who’s the first to know? - Building your chain of command
Yes, if you’re at home, you can think on your toes in an emergency. But what if you’re not and you have children or elderly family members at home? Do they know how to receive emergency texts when there is weather warnings sent out by the county? Whether it’s prepping for a large storm or knowing what to do in case of a fire, make sure you have a line of communication to:
- Receive the warning - even if you are not home
- Stay in touch with your family throughout the ordeal
Your alarm system can not only give you remote access to see what’s happening while you’re gone, but also can be set up to send emergency text messages to you and your chain of command. If you can’t reach them directly, having a remote accessed camera system allows you to have a peace of mind of their well being.
You can also utilize your network of contacts to protect your family. Build relationships within your community. If you can’t reach your family, you can reach them through your neighbors or the school.
What’s my next step? - Plan out your custom emergency plan
When you prepare your plans, consider the specific needs of your household. Everyone is different even in one household, so consider the following:
- The different ages of people involved
- Habits of travel
- Dietary or medical needs
- Languages or cultural needs
Each of these variables will change how you decide where to seek shelter and who has access to do what. Not sure if your plan is good enough? Take a look at our blog on prepping for emergency fires for an example.
Once you have created the plan, you want to be able to test it out and practice with your family. You want to be able to have it written out somewhere that all of your family can see. Most importantly, you want to let those in the community who can help you in a time of need know your emergency plan.
Curious on what you can do to prepare before the storm hits?
Or are you worried if you’re missing pieces to your emergency plan is incomplete? Our team of experts can walk you through your plan and test to see if your security system to ensure it is in tip top shape to support you in an emergency.
Contact us today for a free emergency plan review and security suggestions! Or if you’re interested to learn more if DIY products are really worth it, sign up for our newsletter and get 3 things to know before you get a DIY security product.