Family Home Evening Emergency Preparedness Lesson;
(Our latter day prophets have told us time and time again to be prepared, spiritually as well as physically for that which is to come. D&C 1:12, 29:8, 38:30)
1. Prayer, song
2. Discuss above ideas with your family in a calm way so as not to frighten them, then prepare an emergency plan.
If disaster strikes, with so little time, does our family have a plan and know what to do? We need to Prepare Now!
Emergency Preparedness Plan
(Post the plan where everyone will see it -- on the refrigerator or bulletin board).
3. Talk about which disasters could happen in your area.
4. Ask; a. How can we as a family prepare for each disaster?
b. Is there a way we would be warned of this?
c. Is there an evacuation route for our community?
d. Learn about emergency plans for your work, or children's schools.
e. Discuss with children the dangers of severe weather, fire, earthquakes, and other emergencies.
5. Lets talk about how we should respond in a disaster so if ever one happens we will know what to do. Let's renew what to do at least once a month so we don't forget.
a. Make a floor plan of your home or apartment. Make two escape routes for each room.
Use a different colored highlight pen to show the location of all the windows, stairways, and doors. Red mark the emergency supplies for easy location of them. (Fire extinguishers, smoke detectors ,Disaster Supplies Kit , collapsible ladders, first aid kits and utility shut off points). Use a colored pen to draw a broken line charting the two escape routes for each room. Mark a place outside of the home where household members should meet. American red Cross states in their emergancy list to practice emergency evacuation drills at least two times each year.
b. Have Adult teach how to turn off the water, gas and electricity at main
switches.
c. Have a family member post local emergency telephone numbers near or on
telephones.
d. Pick two places for family members to meet in case they are not together
during a disaster
a. Somewhere near your home in case there is a fire.
b. Somewhere outside your neighborhood in case there is a reason you
cannot return to it.
e. Teach the children how and when to call 911, police and fire, and one local
friend or relative and out-of-state call, for family members to call if separated
by disaster (it is often easier to call out-of-state than within the area).
f. Instruct family to turn on the radio for emergency information.
g. We need to know what to do about power outages and personal injuries.
(it might be wise at this point to find ways that the
whole family can be involved in some kind of CPR
and EMERGENCY training. Contact local fire dept.
or hospitals, for training in your area. Or
organise something for a group training at the church.
6. Song, Prayer
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(This could be done in another Family Home eveining or the next day.)
1. Get your first-aid kit and prescription medications together.
2. Get emergency supplies ready and into a specific place that everyone in your family knows about. Supplies are below in a list.
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We should also get our homes emergency ready
1.Fasten all shelves securely and place glass items on a strap protected shelf or on
a bottom shelf, that includes heavy items that could harm someone if they were
high.
2. Make sure there are no heavy pictures or mirrors over beds.
3. Water heaters can be strapped to wall studs.
4. Overhead light fixtures can be braced.
5.Harmful, or flammable products away from heat sources and secured from
children.
6. Install and check regularly, Smoke dectectors & fire extinguishers
If You Find out that You must Evacuate
1.Listen to a battery-powered radio for emergency shelter location.
2.Have certain family members in charge of getting the disaster supplies kit you have put together, and on leaving don't forget to shut off water, gas and electricity if time, and lock your house.
3. Officials usually tell you the specified safe routes to take..follow them!
4. If you can not take your pets, make arrangements for them.
Animals may not be allowed in public shelters.
5. Everyone should keep certain items of preparedness already in the car. If you do not have these items this would be as good time to get your car ready! (radio, flashlight, blanket, extra batteries, booster cables, fire extinguisher, first aid kit and manual, bottled water and non-perishable high energy foods such as granola bars, raisins and peanut butter, maps, tire repare items, shovel, flares. They have car kits at local stores that you can purchase.
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Home Storage
(The six basics items that should be stored for your home: water, food, first aid supplies, clothing and bedding, tools and emergency supplies and special items.)
Get a years supply of food for each family member
First aid kits for home and car
Assorted bandages, Triangular bandages
2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
Scissors
Tweezers
Needle
Moistened towelettes
Antiseptic, antibiotic ointment
Soap
Blades
Latex gloves (2 pair)
Sunscreen
Non-Prescription Drugs, pain reliever, Anti-diarrhea medication, Antacid, Ipecac syrup, Laxative,
Prescription drugs that family members need
Safety pins
Thermometer
Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
Medicine dropper
Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)
Emergency Kit
Tools and Supplies
Fire extinguisher: small canister A-B-C type
Paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
Emergency preparedness manual
Radio and extra batteries
Flashlight and batteries
Cash or change
Non-electric can opener, utility knife
tent (big enough for family)
bed rolls including sleeping bags for each family member
Tape
Compass
Map of the area (for locating shelters)
Matches in a waterproof container
Plastic storage containers
Signal flare
Aluminum foil
Paper, pencil
Needles, thread
Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
Whistle
Plastic sheeting
Toilet paper, towelettes
Soap
Feminine supplies
Personal hygiene items
Household chlorine bleach
Plastic garbage bags, ties
Plastic bucket with tight lid
Disinfectant
Bath towels
At least one complete change of clothing and shoes per person.
Rain gear
Hats and gloves
Thermal underwear
Special Items for family members with special needs
Toys, games and books, journals, scriptures
Important Family Documents; Keep in waterproof containers: Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates), Insurance policies, contracts deeds ,wills, stocks and bonds, passports, immunization records, bank account numbers, social security cards, credit card account numbers and companies, important telephone numbers, genealogy.
Store this kit in a convenient place known to all family members. There are many different ways you can do this. Put in suitcases that are light enough for each family member to take one..(.adults can take two). There are duffle bags. You can keep a smaller version of the Disaster Supplies Kit in the trunk of your car. Or a small personal back pack for each family member).
Keep items in air tight plastic bags. Change your stored water supply every six months so it stays fresh. Change the stored foods about every six months, so they don't go bad. Do this family home evening at least once a year so you have up to date items, food, batteries clothing and water.
