We’re in challenging times! Could anything more happen? If prepared, we need not live in fear. Competence breeds confidence. Things can still be challenging, but manageable.
Many students are distance learning, and don’t have school earthquake and other drills. It’s even more important to start thinking about how to prepare the family for the annual Great Washington ShakeOut. The organizers have given thought to COVID concerns. See https://www.shakeout.org/washington/
Washington state has a plan, a policy, a program for preparing for emergencies. Check into all the information, including short videos and a webinar, at https://mil.wa.gov/emergency-management-division
1 min video https://mil.wa.gov/emergency-management-division#gallery-1
Excellent 2 min video specifically for Washington hazards https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d4QnqrMysc&feature=emb_rel_end
45 second video about COVID https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jCRqJd4j9A and a humorous two and a half min interview with the General https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUyo-DUxCIw
A 3.5 min video to share with kids https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNQc6aeOKTQ&feature=emb_rel_end
Webinar about being prepared during a pandemic https://mil.wa.gov/news/webinar-disaster-preparedness-during-a-pandemic
Is you family game for fun? Utility Treasure Hunt
-What do you do when the lights go out, you spring a leak, or after an earthquake you smell gas?
–Practice finding where to shut off your utilities, by making it a treasure hunt. Pretend it’s dark, electricity went out. First you have to find a light. Next, find the fuse box. Have a treasure, a challenge, and a clue taped to the fuse box. Put the treasure in your treasure bag, do the challenge (find the fuse for the kitchen, for the living room, etc), and follow the clue to the next treasure: You’ve just sprung a leak! Find the water cut-off valve (you may also include turn off valves for the toilets and sinks). Have a treasure, a challenge, and a clue taped to the water turn off valve. Put the treasure in your treasure bag, do the challenge (turn off the water), and follow the clue to the next treasure: Shake it up, baby! (everybody shakes all over) You just had an earthquake and you can hear a hissing sound, and smell the nasty odor of gas! Find an applicable wrench, take it to the gas cut off, and pretend to turn it off (never turn it off except in an emergency and you smell gas. Only the gas company can turn it back on). Put your treasure in your treasure bag, and meet in the family room or kitchen. Enjoy your treasures.
–treat: gold coins, candy necklace and rings, if you like, or, golden fruit slices or raisins, popcorn or cereal Os necklaces, apple rings . . . get creative! What would the members of your family treasure?
Photo by Julia M Cameron on Pexels.com
Emergency Prep--some ideas and options 