National Preparedness Month: Creating a Family Communications Plan

September has been designated "National Preparedness Month," and while I don't typically follow designated topics-of-the-month, it does provide some fodder for some great ideas and suggestions for making sure your family is prepared in the case of an emergency. I'll be posting a few blog entries this month focused on disaster preparedness.

Sometimes it's easy to feel insulated from disasters, especially in New England where the weather doesn't get as severe as other parts of the country. But remember that a fire, flood, or power outage can happen at any time and anywhere.

When thinking about disaster preparedness, remember that being prepared empowers you and your family, so that you can react quickly and efficiently. It shouldn't be based on fear. When communicating with children about disaster preparedness, always keep a positive and calming tone.

One of the most important things you can do to be prepared is to have a family communications/reunion plan. This is a simple document to put together, but is often overlooked. September is a great time to put one together as the family gets settled into new routines for back to school.

A family communications plan should consist of the following types of information:

• Key phone numbers for the family members - home phone, home address, parents' work numbers, cell numbers, day care providers, neighbors, and an out-of-town relative. Remember that sometimes it can be easier to make a long distance call than a local call in the case of an emergency, so an out-of-town relative can be a good point of contact. One other important suggestion is to use cell phones' ICE (in case of emergency) feature. Most cell phones now have an entry reserved for ICE and you should definitely program in an emergency contact. Most first responders and EMTs are now trained to look for an ICE number in the case of a car accident or other incident.
  
• Pre-designated reunion spots in the case of an emergency. First location should be your home address; second should be a close neighbor (in case of fire, flood, etc.); third should be a community location (church, town hall, school, etc.); and a fourth and final choice should be an out-of-town relative or friend. You should go through various scenarios so that everyone understands the purpose of the different reunion spots.

Once your document is created, take the time to sit down with the family and review it together to make sure that everyone is comfortable with the procedures. You can also make wallet cards with the critical information for everyone to carry with them. Also - remember to communicate your plan with other people involved, including neighbors, day care providers, schools, and any out-of-town relatives/friends. If you make any changes to the plan, distribute new copies to everyone.