Keeping your Family Healthy in Case of a Storm Emergency
For the east coast of the United States, hurricane season is in full swing. In the recent weeks, millions of people have felt the effects of these storms while others have just barely dodged an emergency situation. Whether you and your family have been affected by recent hurricanes, seasonal storms and other natural disasters or not, it’s important that you help your family prepare as much as possible for anything and everything that mother nature may send your way. While preparedness is key, it’s important that you prepare in a way that will keep your family healthy during a power outage due to an emergency situation. By following these guidelines, you can prepare in advance to help keep your family happy and healthy in the event of an extended power outage or storm emergency.
Before discussing exactly what to put in your family’s emergency preparedness kit, we should remind you how important it is to start preparing long before a storm is on the horizon. By preparing early, you can avoid the cleaned-out grocery store shelves and long lines so when an emergency is coming, you can prepare your home and family instead of wasting precious time at the store. You’ll have access to a much larger variety of products if you prepare long before a storm arrives.
Start with the Basics
As you begin to assemble an emergency kit, you may find yourself feeling a bit overwhelmed. For that reason, it’s best to start with the basics: food and water. The first thing you’ll need is a large, plastic storage bin. This will serve as the container for your kit. Experts say that you should have enough food and water for your family to live off of for at least three days. That means, you’ll want to have a few gallons of water or a few cases of bottled water on hand depending on the size of your family.
You’ll want to keep non-perishable foods in your emergency supply kit as well. This means almost all of the food you’ll be putting in your supply kit will be canned. Don’t forget to pack a (manual) can-opener! This is where you can help your family stay healthy during an extended power outage. You’ll want to make sure that the foods you pack in your supplies kit are healthy and energizing so that your children receive the nutrients they need each day.
Be sure to pack foods that will help your family keep going without slowing them down. Pack foods that are high in energy and fiber such as canned beans, dried fruits, and whole-grain cereals. You’ll also want to pack foods that are high in healthy fats such as canned tuna or salmon and nuts. These foods will help keep you and your family energized and full in case of a storm emergency.
Medical Needs
Arguably the most important thing to pack in your emergency kit is any medications or medical devices that your family may require. This includes inhalers, epipens, daily and emergency medications, and any other items that your family may require for their medical needs. You’ll also want to pack a first-aid kit filled with bandages and other over-the-counter medicines that you and your family may need. Be sure to keep track of expiration dates of medications by making a label out of a regular sheet of paper to tape onto the outside of your box. On this label, you’ll want to write down the contents inside your kit and expiration dates so you can easily keep track of the contents of your supplies kit and update them once or twice yearly.
Other Things to Consider
You’ll also want to make sure your kit has general supplies for your family to use in case of an emergency. Pack a few flashlights with plenty of extra batteries and candles with a box of kitchen matches. You’ll also want to consider packing towels and a blanket if you have enough room in your kit. If you really want to be prepared, you can even pack a battery-operated radio so you can keep up with any updates in your area during a power outage. It’s also wise to pack a few rolls of toilet paper and baby wipes/diapers if you have younger children.
Mental Health and Attitude
One of the best things you can do during a storm emergency is to stay calm and maintain a positive attitude. Your children and family will feel much more at ease during an already stressful situation if you maintain a level head. Make sure there are activities to keep your family occupied during an extended power outage. Pack a few books and a board game or two if you have room. If you don’t have room for games in your kit, make sure you pack a deck of cards (or two if you have a large family!).
Those end-of-summer storms can be really stressful for you and your loved ones. That’s why it’s more important than ever to be prepared for any and all scenarios so you can rest assured that if a storm hits, you and your family are safe and sound. If you need further information about your child’s nutritional needs and tips on what foods can help keep them energized during a power outage, contact the professionals at Glen Allen Pediatrics. Our caring staff will help you plan for anything mother nature may throw your way. Call (804) 282-4210 to schedule an appointment today!
