Like using a seat belt or keeping a smoke detector, preparing for emergencies is another way to keep your family safe from the unexpected. It is important to build a kit of emergency supplies, make a plan for what you will do in an emergency and be informed about what might happen.By planning ahead, you can understand how a disaster may affect you and take steps to minimize those effects. There are many resources to help individuals and families prepare for potential emergencies and ways to help children get involved. For example, enlist family membersí help to find items on your emergency kit checklist or make it a scavenger hunt for younger children. Visit readycolorado.com for emergency supply lists.Once emergency items are collected, build an emergency kit with supplies to last for up to 72 hours. Along with your kit, make a family plan. Start with these steps:Step 1: Choose emergency contactsThese people will help reunite your family if you’re separated. An out-of-town emergency contact may not be affected by the emergency and can help make sure family members are OK.A local emergency contact can help you with tasks such as picking up your child from child care.Help your child remember your contacts’ names.Step 2: Select an emergency meeting placeThis is the safe place where your family will meet if you can’t get home during an emergency. Talk to your child’s caregivers: Is there an evacuation place where they’ll meet up with parents? Talk with employers and schools about their emergency response plan and include this in your family plan.Step 3: Reach out to your communityFriends, neighbors and emergency workers are your neighborhood helpers. Let your child know that these trusted adults are people he can go to for help in an emergency. Take a trip together to fire and police stations to talk about the many important ways these people help. Consider ways to help neighbors who may need assistance, such as the elderly or disabled.Step 4: Prepare for specific risks in your areaContact your local fire station, emergency management office or public safety office to learn how to prepare for specific risks in your area.In El Paso County, sign up at http://elpasoteller911.org to receive emergency calls to your home, business or cell phones and text messages.For more information and resources with emergency preparedness plans and kits, visit http://elpasocountyhealth.org and click on the Emergency Preparedness link.
