Emergency preparedness is never too exciting of a title. To be honest, most people would nearly rather get a root canal it seems instead of prepare their 72 hour kits or stocking up on life-giving supplies. I'm not quite sure why this is.
Perhaps my estimation is off, but every year during our local hurricane season it's almost amusing to some people to watch others frantically drive to their local hardware store for plywood (to protect their windows). I say "almost" because in all reality, it is never fun to go through a disaster - whether personally or watching another experience it.
I have been one of those scurrying fools in years past, not having prepared my family for pending disasters. Then when a hurricane appeared to head straight for us, there I was with all the other frantic homeowners, standing in line. Our hearts were pumping and our hands were full with live-or-die elements such as batteries, water bottles, and yes, even that trusty generator (costing more than I'd ever want to say).
This year it is going to be different for my family. I have spent the past few months scouting around my home for all my important papers. I have worked to build up at least a small reserve of food to tide my family over during any difficulties. One only had to watch the Hurricane Katrina debaucle to learn that people really need to plan to be on their own for at least a week of being on their own if a huge disaster hits them.
How about your family? Are you and your loved ones prepared? Above and beyond all the topics we could talk about here in this Adolescence forum, living and surviving become paramount to anything else when times get really tough.
What do you have prepared? Anything? Here are a few ideas for at least prepping your 72 hour kits - which by the way are only the barest of minimums to keep you going. But they are a start.
Get a cheapo backpack from some thrift store for EVERY member of your family. Within that, start with these items. But don't end there! You'll need to add to them anything personal each member also needs or wants. For example, a good place to start would be:
- a few items of clothes (including changes of socks and undies)
- emergency food and water to last 72 hours
- first aid kit
- important medicines
- space blanket
- emergency money
- etc.
It is a start...and one you need to make soon.
So how about it? Wanna join me in getting prepared? It's really not that hard to do and you'll be so glad if an event like Hurricane Katrina (or some other icky disaster) hits your neighborhood any time soon. It's so much easier to evacuate or to take care of emergency needs if you are prepared.
For a list of additional ideas, you are welcome to visit my blog. Of course, at my blog I've included scriptures and comments from leaders within my church - as this is a very important part of me and my life. But within those blog posts are also easy ideas to help your family get prepared.
You can be a very important part of this...and your family, if ever hit by a disaster, will very much thank you!
Whether it is a sudden tornado, a flash flood, a drought, a hurricane, or any other weather disturbance, let us, you and me, help our families get prepared now! When we are prepared, fear nearly disappears.
And now back to more typical adolescence issues....:0)
Warmly,
C.S. Bezas
Save to Del.icio.us
