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This is part two of a Family Emergency Plan series written by our contributing writer, Prepper Lush. Make sure to read Family Emergency Plan #1: Talking to Your Family.
Most women I know are list makers. Maybe not actual lists in your purse or laying around the house, but lists in our head, so, I think our head needs more room.
Make a family information form (list of your family).
- It should include the name of all the family members whom live in the house, phone numbers for each, email address, what school they attend, where they work, A phone number for an out of state contact, where they should meet if they can’t get home.
- Important information. Bank numbers and codes, life insurance, copies of insurance cards/credit cards, social security numbers, birth certificates and other things your family may need to know if it’s necessary.
- Up to date photos of each person in the family, defining markings and their locations (this is for those people whom don’t live at home as well, college aged kids, etc)
- Copies of keys for rooms in the house you may have locked (gun closet, safe combination, etc)
- Family plan: Ex: If an emergency comes up and I can’t drive home, I’ll be walking; it’ll take me about 2 hours to get home. So the teens know to go and get their siblings from school and go home. Get things to supply the house with light and don’t open the fridge/freezer so it can stay cool if the electricity is out.(Come up with a plan that’ll work for your family)
- Enough money to get you and your family out of town if you had to.
This whole thing should take about 3 hours to compile, depending on what you have. It might take a few days, just have a goal in mind on when you want it done. Then do it.
After you are done, put it in a plastic bag and in the freezer.
FREEZER?
Yes… it’s the most fireproof spot in your house. I thought my husband was silly when he told me that the first time. It’s true, keep your stuff safe, put it in the freezer and check it out again every time you turn your clocks back. Make changes… update.
- Now… put a mini one in all of your vehicles (sans the SS#, bank account, etc). Just things you might need like, bug out plan, family information, cash, etc.)
- Take one to work.
- Give one to a family member/child that’s moved away, etc.
- Give an instruction book to the child care provider/in kids backpack.
Links to online Family Emergency Plans:
http://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/documents/files/Family_Emegency_Plan.pdf
http://www.safetyathome.com/2009/04/16/create-your-own-family-disaster-plan/
What would you add to your FEP? I’d love to gain more ideas, I hadn’t even thought about cash until a friend of mine brought it up after Sandy hit New York this Oct.