The Laguna Beach Independent in California reports that Brad Itnyre, a local high school junior, wrote emergency preparedness guidelines to help families prepare for disasters if they must live away from their home for three to five days. The guidelines begin with a recommendation to have an emergency survival kit with vital supplies. Next, Itnyre recommends the following:
For those who prepare ahead of time, surviving outside of their home can be easy. If there is access to a car, it can provide good shelter, the engine and heater can be run periodically in areas with a cold climate. Dangerous areas, such as damaged or destroyed buildings and places filled with hazardous items, should be avoided.
Before sleeping, make sure the shelter is not in an area where something could harm its occupants. If possible, stay in one place and do not move around, since you will be easier to find you stay in one place.
These are great tips and advice. It’s important that all children that age and even younger are well versed on what to do when disaster strikes. Don’t just buy and store your children’s survival kit. Pull it out and train them on what’s in it, how to use it, and go into great detail on plans to survive during an emergency.