We don’t want to think that bad things will happen and the thought of our children being scared or hurt is a painful thought to parents.  But you can prepare your children by discussing possible scenarios and how they should respond.  Our children mirror our own emotions.  If we are upset and panicked, our children will be too.  If we are calm and thoughtful, our children will act the same way.

Do regular drills.  We try to do fire drills at least twice a year as well as earthquake drills since we live in earthquake country.  We remind our children never to return to a building that is on fire as well as our family emergency plan.

Play the “what if” game.  Ask your kids, “What if there was an emergency and you were stuck at school?  What would you do?”  Or, “What if you came home from school and mom wasn’t there and the house was locked?  What would you do?”  Talk about family rules and who they can go to if they are in trouble. 

By talking to our children and giving them information, we give them the power to make smart choices in whatever situation they may face.

If there is an emergency situation in your area, it is vital to have a plan for protecting your family, but have you thought about what you would do for your pets? Many times, our pets ARE our family, so as pet owners, we must be prepared. It can save their lives.

The Red Cross says, “In the event of a disaster, if you must evacuate, the most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to evacuate them, too. Leaving pets behind, even if you try to create a safe place for them, is likely to result in their being injured, lost, or worse. So prepare now for the day when you and your pets may have to leave your home.” So, where do we take our pets if we need to evacuate?

Red Cross shelters are not allowed to accept pets, unless they are needed to assist people with disabilities. It would be a good idea to call local hotels in your city, or even outside your city limits in cases your whole city needed to be evacuated, to check on pet policies. Have a few of them written down on an emergency phone number list and keep it in your car, in case you need to make a reservation when you aren’t at home. Ask your friends or family who live outside your immediate area if they would be willing to shelter your pet in an emergency. You may also want to contact local animal shelters to see if they provide emergency assistance.

Also, when you prepare 72 hour kits for your family members, include your pets. They will need essential supplies when you are away from home. Supplies such as: medications, a sturdy leash, a pet carrier, food (don’t forget the can opener), the name and number of your veterinarian, and a few toys if there is room.

In the event that you are not at home when the emergency happens, make sure that you have a trusted neighbor who can have a key to your home and take your pets to an arranged location to meet you. Following these steps to protect your pets can bring much peace before, during, and after an emergency situation.