The Importance of Having a Family Plan in Emergencies

The importance of having a family plan in emergencies is highly overlooked. In a world where we tend to rely on cell phones and texts we often forget that in an emergency we have to be able to get everyone together regardless of whether they are all at home or out and about. In a private emergency, your cell phones may work. However, in a disaster of a larger scale, cell service is rarely reliable let alone available.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of potential dangers in the world and if you and your family are not well prepared an emergency could result in the needless loss of life or prolonged separation. If you and your family have not yet sat down to discuss the potential emergencies and the actions that should follow you're risking more than you might think.

When you consider the importance of having a family plan in emergencies you can only consider the possibilities. In a house fire you need to get everyone out of the house in a heart beat. Large scales emergencies should operate on the same level. Where can you meet to make sure you all end up together? What if that place is no longer serviceable for one reason or another? Where is the secondary meeting place?

Developing a family plan depends a little bit on lifestyle and distance. If the only person your children play with lives right next door then your family plan will vary from someone who has three children scattered over a ten mile radius. Developing a strong family plan starts with good communication. Many people are hesitant to talk to their children about potential disasters because they are worried that their children will become fearful. While some fears may arise, it's a good opportunity to explain to children that being prepared and knowing what to do can ultimately help them be less afraid of the possible emergencies that could happen.

Talking about the importance of having a family plan in emergencies also helps you to become aware of what your children may already be concerned about. Parents are often shocked to find out that young children are already worried about house fires, large scale disasters, and even the "bad guys." By talking through different plans and practicing for a day when you might need to take action you and your family can come to grips with the unknown in a more mature and helpful manner.