The recent flooding in Texas was a terrible tragedy. It should be a wake-up call for all of us to think about what we can do to be prepared for a disaster.
I know this may not seem like a health topic, but a disaster can be devastating to your health in many ways, especially if you have any chronic medical problems.
Today we will start a conversation about preparing for the disaster that we hope will never come. This is a big topic, so we will break it up into two parts.
What Does It Mean to Be Prepared for a Disaster?
Disasters can happen from a variety of causes such as floods, tornados, earthquakes, fires, snowstorms, power outages, and even pandemics. Disasters can strike unexpectedly. Being prepared means having the knowledge, plans, and supplies to protect yourself and your loved ones before, during, and after an emergency.Why is disaster preparedness so vital for your health and safety?
Minutes can sometimes be the difference between life and death. How many lives could have been saved in Texas if everyone had been aware of (and acted upon) the National Weather Service warnings that went out 2-3 hours prior to the flood? There were no sirens, but the information was available. We will talk about ways to get that information.
If you or a loved one have underlying health problems, take medications, or require medical equipment, it may take longer for you to get out of a disaster safely. Getting away from a disaster without vital medications can be dangerous. Being prepared for a disaster is even more important for you.
What does disaster preparation look like in practice?
The first step is awareness. You should know the types of disasters most likely to affect your community, or the area in which you are vacationing! These may be weather-related events, such as tornados, floods, hurricanes, winter storms, extreme heat, etc. Or other disasters, such as an earthquake or a wildfire. We also need to remember that climate change has increased the risk of extreme weather events, so you could be affected by an extreme weather event that hasn’t affected your community in recent memory.
You should always be aware of the weather conditions in your local area, at home or on vacation!
What Are the Essential Steps for Family Disaster Preparedness?
Awareness is just the start. Disaster preparedness is about planning ahead, staying informed, and ensuring you have what you need to stay healthy and safe. Taking even small steps today can give you peace of mind and help protect your family when it matters most.
Let’s talk about each of these in more detail.
How Can You Make a Family Emergency Plan?
Having a family emergency plan ensures everyone knows what to do, and how to stay in touch if you are separated. Planning helps everyone stay calm and focused during a crisis. Here’s how to create an effective plan:
- Learn evacuation routes.
- Choose two meeting places – one near your home and one outside your neighborhood in case you need to evacuate.
- Designate an out-of-town emergency contact that everyone can check in with.
- Write down important phone numbers – don’t rely solely on your cellphone.
- Plan how to care for pets, elderly relatives, or anyone with special needs. If someone in your household uses medical devices or special equipment, connect with their healthcare providers ahead of time to ensure backup power or supplies are available.
- Keep a written check list of everything that needs to be done if evacuating. Assign specific tasks to specific people, but plan to be flexible if someone is not home.
- Practice your plan together regularly, including evacuation routes and communication methods. You should involve every family member, including children, in practice drills so everyone knows what to expect.
- If you are on vacation, make a temporary emergency plan for your specific location.
Next week, we will talk more about this topic, including creating an emergency kit or “go bag”, how to stay informed, and what to do for those with specific health needs.
If you have any questions about emergency preparedness, please log into your account and send us your question. We are here to help.
Dr. Anita Bennett MD – Health Tip Content Editor