Disaster Planning 1-2-3 by Dr. Natalie Lane

The weather is sultry and there’s a hint of rain in the air. Suddenly, the skies grow dark, winds whip around your house and a heavy rain begins to fall. Your television reports a severe weather warning, possible tornadoes and hail. Do you know what to do?

Disasters can happen at any time, and at their most severe, you could be left without electricity, gas, running water or phone service. Stores and banks could be closed, and roads could be impassable. Help, if needed, could be a long time away. It’s important that you and your family develop a plan to help guide you, should the unthinkable happen.

The MCG Children’s Medical Center offers the following checklist to help families prepare in the event of an emergency:

1. Talk with your family. Before a disaster happens, be sure to talk with your family to formulate an action plan and answer any questions or allay fears. Discussion topics should include:
· What is a disaster, what are the most common disasters that could occur in your area and what are the warning signs?
· What needs to happen in case you need to shelter in place or in the event of an evacuation?
· Who should be called in the event of an emergency? Remember to also identify someone out-of-state as a central contact for everyone to call.
· Where should the family meet in case of separation?
· What do you do in case of fire, and where are the escape routes?

Remember, children are not small adults and their imagination can fuel their fears. When talking with children, get down to their eye level and reassure them while providing an honest, realistic picture. Let them know there will be people who can help if they get separated. Encourage them to discuss their fears and feelings, and ask questions. Listen and take their feelings seriously.

2. Assemble a Family Disaster Kit. The following items should be assembled in your home, ready to grab in case of an emergency:
· A three-day supply of water and food. Aim for one gallon of water per person per day. Food should require no refrigeration and little or no water. Don’t forget the manual can opener.
· A first-aid kit. Include items such as cleanser, sunscreen, laxative and anti-diarrhea medication, along with the more usual first-aid supplies.
· Clothing and bedding. Every person needs one complete change of clothing and footwear. Have sleeping bags or blankets for every person too.
· Tools and emergency supplies. Remember flashlights and batteries, a battery-operated radio, candles and waterproof matches, a shut-off wrench to disable gas and water, signal flare, whistle, plastic sheeting and tape, as well as personal hygiene products, including toilet paper.
· Special items. Keep copies of important documents such as passports, insurance policies, deeds and other records in a portable waterproof container. (Originals should be kept in a safe deposit box.) If anyone in your family has special needs, make sure to keep copies of prescriptions and medical records in a safe place and store a two-week supply of any medicines or necessary supplies.
· Children’s needs. For infants, remember comfort items like toys or a blanket as well as extra diapers and formula/powdered milk. In addition, make sure children know or have on them their address, phone number, parents’ names and emergency contact number in case of separation. For the older child, a “Get Ready Kit” can be made with games, cards, a favorite toy or stuffed animal, family and pet pictures, books, puzzles, crayons and paper.
· Pets’ needs. Don’t forget to include your family pets and their needs during planning.

3. Learn CPR and first aid. Check with your local American Red Cross chapter to find out about classes in these topics.

Through honest communication and proper planning, your family can be prepared to act, cope and recover in case of any emergency.

MCG Health System is composed of three separate organizations — MCG Health, Inc. and the clinical services offered by the faculty employees of the Medical College of Georgia and the members of the MCG Physicians Practice Group Foundation. The physicians of MCG Health System are community physicians, faculty employees of the Medical College of Georgia, or employees of the MCG Physicians Practice Group Foundation, not employees of MCG Health, Inc. MCG Health, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation operating the MCG Medical Center, MCG Children’s Medical Center, the MCG Sports Medicine Center, MCG Ambulatory Care Center, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center and related clinical facilities and services. MCG Health, Inc. was formed to support the research and education mission of the Medical College of Georgia and to build the economic growth of the CSRA, the state of Georgia and the Southeast by providing an environment for faculty employees of the Medical College of Georgia and the MCG Physicians Practice Group Foundation and community physicians to deliver the highest level of primary and specialty health care. For more information, please visit www.MCGHealth.org.


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