We’ve faced some pretty scary stuff this year . . . Have we learned anything?
Who knows what tomorrow will bring–time for a fall-back plan!
From COVID-19–did we learn to have some supplies on hand so we don’t have to panic if we can’t get to the store tomorrow? Got a little extra TP? Are we ready, if need be, to “shelter in place”?
From wildfires–does everyone in the family know what to do if there’s a small fire in the kitchen, a big fire in the house (escape plan and a meeting place), if we have to evacuate? Do we have a grab-n-go kit so we don’t have to spend time finding a change of clothes, a bottle of water and snacks, and copies of important papers?
From civil unrest–do the members of our family have problem-solving skills, conflict resolution skills, do we all practice respect for others (even those with different ideas, opinions, experiences, perspectives)? Do we really pledge allegiance to the ideals of Liberty and Justice for all? Of course that might look different through different eyes, but if we have people skills and respect for one another, we can work for solutions.
“A word to the wise ought to be sufficient”, my dad used to say. Let us be Wise!
Family Fun: “We Can with a Plan! Escape a Fiery Destruction”
-Take the measure of each room in your home, and draw up a rough sketch of your home plan (optional: use grid paper). For young children, you should do this before meeting with the children. Indicate where the windows and doors are in each room. Plan a fire escape from each room. Think about what you would need to grab and go, put it by/under the bed. Practice.
-Resources:
http://www.burninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/BI-escape-plan.swf
http://www.redcross.org/news/article/A-Home-Fire-Escape-Plan-Can-Save-Your-Life
https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/escape.html
–treat: make a campfire treat, such as one of these 25: http://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/g2444/campfire-recipes/?
-song: “Mrs. O’Leary’s Cow”: “Late last night, when I was safe in bed; Ms. O’Leary left the lantern in the shed; And when the cow kicked it over, she winked one eye and said, ‘There’ll be a hot time in the old town tonight.’ Fire! Fire! Fire!”
Emergency Prep--some ideas and options 