Household Emergencies
If you live alone, simply reading this article should be enough
to help increase your preparedness in case of a household emergency. If, however,
you live with others, then it's time to have a family meeting about safety and what to do in an emergency.
Getting the Whole Family Involved
The meeting does not have to take long. 30 to 60 minutes shoud be more than sufficient, which is about the maximum length of time any teenager will be able to stand when it comes to hanging out with their parents. More importantly, though, the meeting can mean the difference between life and death for a household member, so make sure you set aside some time to discuss the issues. And don't forget to talk with your older children about what they can do to help their younger siblings or older relatives when an emergency arises.
You may be able to avoid certain mishaps if you read up on child safety in the home. It's also a good idea to have a first aid kit in your home. Let everyone know where it is and keep it in an easily accessed place.
What You Need to Know
You will want to go over the following with all applicable members
of the household:
- How and when to dial 911
- Other emergency phone numbers
- Which exits to use in case of fire or other emergency
- The location and use of fire extinguishers
- The location and use of safety ladders, if applicable
- The location of your home’s shut-off valves and how to use them
- Where to meet outside the home in case of emergency
