Emergencies happen, so be prepared!

Organization is crucial for this, so make sure you have the following easily accessible for the family crisis:

• a good first aid kit in the house
• a good first aid kit in all vehicles
• a good fire extinguisher in the house
• a good fire extinguisher in each vehicle
• phone contacts list (these are often stored in cell phones and home phones now, but others may need to have access to them for example, to call a babysitter)
• know where buckets are (for dealing with a flooded basement)

• where your gas and water valves are, and how to shut them off
• where your electrical box is
• where the list of phone numbers is kept, including family, doctor, dentist, school, work, babysitter, etc.
• where your flashlights and candles are kept
• where spare batteries for flashlights are kept
• a schedule of family members

When it comes to disaster planning though, there is a lot more needed, just in case.

• emergency lighting
• canned food and bottled water
• a supply of cash and a credit card
• sturdy shoes for the whole family
• plans that the whole family have discussed in advance
• a go bag for each family member that contains
  • a change of dry clothes,
  • a flashlight with spare solar batteries,
  • emergency contact numbers,
  • first aid kit,
  • water purification tablets,
  • bottle of water,
  • high energy bars,
  • medications,
  • waterproof notebook,
  • pencil,
  • large plastic bags (can be used as a poncho if necessary),
  • gloves for protecting hands, or keeping warm.
  • Duct tape is always useful too
  • a small amount of cash

A lot of these things should be kept in the car too as a precaution, especially when going on a long trip.

It is always a good idea to discuss "what if" situations with your family, as to what would be a good thing to do in a certain situation. This will help in a real emergency, because they will have some idea of what to do. Of course, you have to make sure that the way you handle this is appropriate for the age of your children. The last thing you want is for them to have nightmares for ever more!