Hey NEN Fam! September is National Preparedness Month, and it’s the perfect time to focus on safety tips and emergency plans. We’ve been revisiting our family’s safety strategies, and we wanted to share some of our knowledge with you! While we’ve done our research, it’s always smart to check with local authorities for any extra information you might need. Keep reading to learn some tips on how to keep you and your loved ones safe in case of emergencies.
Fire Safety Tips
- Create a fire escape plan! Make sure you have a clear plan with multiple escape routes and a designated meeting spot. You should be able to exit your home in 60 seconds or less. It’s important to have at least two escape routes and a way to account for everyone, such as a buddy system or assigned numbers. Your meeting spot should be known by every family member and can be the mailbox, curb, or a neighbor’s house. It’s also a good idea to have a backup spot, in case the main one is unsafe.
- Place fire extinguishers on each floor of your home and ensure they’re easily accessible. They can be used in an attempt to put out small fires. This should be your go-to way to extinguish a fire, as water can sometimes worsen the situation, especially with a grease fire.
- Before opening a closed door during an active fire, place the back of your hand on the door or doorknob. If it’s hot, there may be a fire on the other side. If the door is cool, still open the door with caution.
- If you are trapped and can’t exit a room, open a window and either use a fire ladder, jump (if at a safe height), or signal for help by waving an object. Firefighters will look for this signal when they complete their 360 check.
- Stay low! Smoke and heat rise, so stay low to the ground to maintain visibility and avoid inhaling smoke.
- While exiting the house, shout “Fire!” or “Get out!” to alert others. Assist planned “buddies,” siblings, or children as you evacuate. For example, Luke’s escape route passes Beckham and Ledger’s room, so he will quickly help them as planned.
- Always remember: stop, drop, and roll! If you get caught on fire, this will put out flames.
- Familiarize with firefighters! If you have little ones, help them get used to seeing firefighters in full gear. It’s important they understand that these heroes are there to help.
Food Storage
- Stock up on extra food for your family. We like to keep 3-6 months worth of non-perishable food in our home. This can be useful in a situation when you can’t leave your home or if stores are closed.
- This can be beneficial in emergencies but also in other situations like job loss.
Extreme Flood Safety
- Head to higher ground! Move to a higher floor or even the roof. If you’re outside, go uphill to stay out of rising water
- If authorities say to evacuate, do so quickly!
Earthquake Safety
- Follow these steps in event of an earthquake:
- Drop and cover! Drop to your hands and knees to avoid getting knocked over by movement. Protect your head and neck with one hand while you crawl to safety.
- Find shelter! Look for shelter under a sturdy table or desk. If there’s no furniture around, move to an interior wall away from windows
- If you’re caught outside, stay there! Move away from nearby buildings and stay low to the ground.
Summary & General Tips
- Have a plan! Regularly review and update your emergency plan with your family.
- Stay informed. It’s important to keep up with safety tips and guidelines for your area.
Being prepared helps keep you and your loved ones safe. Let’s stay safe and ready together!
Watch us put these tips into action here: