As a mom, you are always juggling between love and an endless list of to-dos. Amid school rush events, planning meals, work, and all other things your life presents to you, it is easy to neglect one important sphere: emergency preparedness. You should make your environment a safer and more secure place to live with your family. Here is how:

Identify any possible risks around your home

Emergencies seldom afford you time to think, and this is where a plan is important. Begin by listing the most probable scenarios you might encounter at home, like:

• Minor injuries
• Allergic reactions
• Power cuts
• Sudden diseases. 

After identifying your possible risks, map out your plan of action in each case. You can teach young children the simplest measures, such as:

• How to call an ambulance 
• Where to get the first aid kit. 

This will make them feel strong enough and confident.

Assemble an emergency family kit

An emergency family kit should be readily available and well-known. Add things such as:

• Bandages
• Antiseptic wipes
• Flashlights
• Batteries
• Medications 
• Additional water. 

You can also include comfort objects for children, such as a stuffed animal. These are important for emotional safety.

It should be a routine to inspect your kit after every few months. You should also pay attention to this:

• Replace expired products
• Invest in it according to the next season
• Ensure that everyone is aware of its location. 

This way, emergency preparedness will become a routine in your house.

Empower your abilities and self-esteem

Much of preparedness is not about supplies, but knowledge of what to do. This can turn the first few minutes from panic into action. You do not have to be a physician. You just need to be confident about what to do in typical emergencies until the rescue team arrives.

You can even consider taking a basic first aid course. It is meant for ordinary individuals, and more so, parents. The training is practical and, most importantly, hands-on. You leave knowing how to handle minor cuts and also identify serious symptoms. This will make you feel capable. The peace of mind is in itself also invaluable.

Make it a family culture

Emergency preparedness does not need to be serious. You can make it a family affair. Train children in age-specific skills, such as:

• How to prevent a small nosebleed 
• What to do if somebody is injured. 

Allow them to help pack the emergency kit so they feel part of it. Use dialogue when training kids. Inquire about things like:

• What would you do if we lost power during bedtime? 
• Where should we go if we need help? 

Such negotiations develop awareness and confidence gradually.

Be adaptable and continue to learn

Being prepared is not a one-time project. As your children get older, your habits become different, or your house becomes different, your plan should become bigger. Be flexible enough to change your approach. That is what contemporary motherhood is all about: 

• Learning
• Adapting
• Making the best out of what you have.

Last words

Emergency preparedness is providing your family with the gift of safety, comfort, and calm during periods of mayhem. You already do so much of it, but it’s another way of looking after those people you love the most.