Emergency Preparedness

Preparation for natural disasters and severe weather, such as blizzards and ice storms, has always been important. Today, however, there also are threats besides those from Mother Nature, including terrorism.

Create a Plan for Family Communication and Supplies

Pick one or two family members who everyone will contact during an emergency. Also, prepare an “emergency box” or list of critical things to grab if you had 15 minutes or less to evacuate. Suggestions include:

• financial records
• insurance policies
• medications
• food and water
• first aid supplies

Take Charge

A common reaction to highly stressful events is a sense of powerlessness. Experts say the best antidote for this is to “do something,” preferably with other people. That’s why memorial services can be such a powerful healer. They help people regain a sense of order amid chaos by staying connected with others.

Another good way to deal with a crisis is to be “task-oriented.” Many people find it helpful to make lists of things that need to be done and to take action on these tasks. How people look at a crisis also impacts their reaction to it. Some people see only the downside of events while others see a bright side and say, “It could have been much worse.”