Safeguarding Your Household: Creating a Disaster Plan

With storm season upon us, now is the perfect chance to review your disaster plan for your family – which includes a safety plan for your domestic employees as well. Preparing for the unexpected now will make everyone safer in the future. Here are some tips and considerations when writing your family disaster plan:

1. Risk Assessment:

Identify potential risks specific to your location and circumstances, such as tornado season or blizzard risks. Also consider natural disasters like floods as well as man-made emergencies such as fires or security threats. Understanding the threats is the first step in preparing for them.

2. Communication Strategy:

Establish clear communication channels within your family and domestic staff. Who does your nanny contact in an emergency? Who is the backup if the first person isn’t reachable? Do you have alternate means of communication for your nanny or housekeeper? Put together a list with the contact information for all family members, including alternate means of communication. Make sure that every member of your household has quick access to this contact list.

3. Emergency Kit Preparation:

Assemble emergency kits tailored to both home and office environments, and include essentials like water, non-perishable food, first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, and important documents like identification papers, insurance policies, and emergency contact information. Don’t forget to rotate supplies periodically to guarantee freshness. Ensure that everyone in your household knows where the emergency kit is stored.

4. Evacuation Routes and Meeting Points:

Map out evacuation routes for various scenarios, considering both primary and alternative routes. Identify a safe meeting point where family members or household staff can gather if separated during an emergency. Ensure everyone knows these routes and meeting points by heart. Conduct regular drills with your family and staff. You can make the drills fun for kids, like timing them to get to the meeting point or setting up fun obstacles on the way. A child who has been prepared in advance is less likely to panic during a real emergency.

5. Don’t Forget Your Pets and Other Special Considerations:

Fido is part of your family, so make sure to take pets into consideration when creating your emergency plan. Also, take into account any special needs within your family or household staff, including elderly family members or individuals with specific medical conditions. Customize your plan to accommodate these unique requirements.

6. Community Resources:

Local government agencies have a wealth of knowledge on emergency resources. Familiarize yourself with community resources available in your area. This includes shelters, medical facilities, and volunteer organizations. Put together a comprehensive list of community resources so you know where you can turn to in case of an emergency.

7. Review Your Plan:

Document your disaster plan in writing and distribute copies to all family members and staff members. Regularly review and update the plan to reflect new information. Hold an annual family meeting to discuss any changes to the plan and encourage feedback.

8. Keep Aware:

Stay current on potential threats, such as inclement weather, through reliable sources like local news outlets or official government channels. Subscribe to emergency alert systems to receive timely notifications in case of imminent danger.

With these tips in mind, you can create peace of mind for yourself, your family, and your household staff. Acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of your domestic staff in implementing your emergency plan. You can work as a team with your domestic staff to ensure that your home is prepared for any disaster situation. Stay safe!