Here is your check off list:
____ 1. Get a living will made. There are many reasons to make a living will: to give guidance to your doctors and health care surrogates, provide clarity and closure to your loved ones, prevent conflict or disagreements among family members, and limit the emotional burden on your closest people at the time of your death.
____ 2. Prepare an emergency kit. Being prepared means being equipped with the proper supplies you may need in the event of an emergency or disaster. Keep your supplies in an easy-to-carry emergency preparedness kit that you can use at home or take with you in case you must evacuate. Be sure to take into account of the special needs you or your family might need, such as, medications, personal products, insulin, etc. Click here to get the American Red Cross Emergency Kit Ideas.
___ 3. Make a plan and tell it to your family. Know the fastest and most efficient escape routes from your home, neighborhood and city. Know where you'll be meeting and who is going to bring what. Practice as many of these elements as possible and review the plan often. Click here to get your Free Family Disaster Plan. *
___ 4. Get trained in CPR and First Aid. A trained person is better able to assess their surroundings. Knowledge of first aid and CPR promotes a sense of safety and well-being among people. Having an awareness and desire to be accident-free keeps you safer and reduces the number of causalities and accidents.
___ 5. Put together a bug out bag. After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Being prepared means having your own food, water, fire, shelter and other supplies to last for several days. I even keep some cash handy for the bug out kit. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency. Click here to get a free emergency preparedness template. **
Whether you’re worried about a sudden layoff, home invasions, car accidents, the power going out for a week, natural disasters, or long term economic and societal decline, it’s critical that you start getting prepared now. By definition, if you wait until you need it, it’s already too late.
*(this post is not endorsed by American First Red Cross) Original content is located at https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/atg/PDF_s/Preparedness___Disaster_Recovery/General_Preparedness___Recovery/Home/ARC_Family_Disaster_Plan_Template_r083012.pdf
**(this post is not endorsed by FEMA) Original content is located at https://www.ready.gov/
