Natural disasters can hit any family. It’s not even wise to agree that “lightning does not strike the same place twice.” If a natural disaster occurs in a family’s area, it’s likely to happen again. Take the perennial floods brought on by abundant rainfall in Metro Manila. These have become regular incidents, even after we have seen the worst during Typhoon Ondoy in 2009.
Family Emergency Plan Essentials
It is important to build a family emergency plan for worst-case scenarios and to keep updating it seasonally. It is best to take the following steps:
- Gather the entire family. Get to know and record everyone’s considerations and fears in the event of the most likely natural disaster. For instance, in a flood, what would a certain family member prioritize saving?
- Have reliable and coordinated communication in place. Most families are likely to have group chats over their preferred messaging platforms. But communication must also consider power outages and signal losses. Discuss arrangements on the best way to reach one another in case cellular communication has gone kaput.
- To whom does the family turn? In the event of evacuations or fleeing the home, the family should agree on a place where they will gather first before going to their emergency shelter plan. Some families benefit from second homes. Without one, some families can designate malls or other public places where they can meet in case their homes become inaccessible due to emergencies.
- Minors and pets should be secured. Children nowadays have emergency kits in school. Pets can carry identification tags with QR codes for their owners’ contact numbers. Similarly, children should be taught to make use of their identification documents in case they get separated from their families. They can refer to their school IDs, where their emergency contact persons, with information such as contact details, relation, and full name, should be written.
- The family emergency kit: There has been plenty of discussion around this because of the pandemic and the many natural hazards faced by families lately, such as typhoons, earthquakes, and even volcanic eruptions. Quick googling of basic emergency kits brings up the need for the following contents: food and water good for several days, flashlights, batteries, basic first aid items, and a whistle for locating individuals otherwise trapped in buildings.
- Start building emergency insurance plans. They don’t have to be comprehensive right away. There are different types of plans depending on concerns and budget, such as accident and motor insurance. House insurance would come in handy for places prone to natural disasters such as floods and storms.
Take Action Now: Secure Your Family’s Future
Natural disasters are unpredictable, but being prepared can make all the difference. Start by building a plan, setting up reliable communication, and protecting your family with emergency kits and insurance. Keeping your plan updated and your coverage in place ensures peace of mind.
Contact Information for Inquiries and Support
Should you have any questions or require further assistance in applying for insurance:
- Call: +63 2 8631 9285 to 86
- Mobile: +63 917 138 5120
- Email: info@reliable-insurance.ph
- Messenger: https://m.me/reliable.insurancebrokersph
Sources:
- Vanderbilt university (n.d.)Create your family’s plan.https://emergency.vanderbilt.edu/vu/personal/plan.php
- United States Marine Corps (n.d.)Making a family emergency plan.https://www.ready.marines.mil/Make-a-Plan/Making-a-Family-Emergency-Plan/
- Plan-international.org. (June 2022)Disaster preparedness starts with the family.https://plan-international.org/uploads/sites/57/2022/06/IEC-Material-Philippines-Family-Guide-booklet-to-support-disaster-preparednes-enhancement.pdf
- Image source: creative commons public domain
