How to Prepare Your Family for the Next Public Health Emergency

There are too many possibilities of potential natural or man-made disasters not to begin making plans with the people you love and care about most. It is something we don't like to think about, and therefore never get prepared for. I feel now more than ever that families need to have a plan. No one wants to think that his or her house is going to burn down, but we are taught from Kindergarten on up that we need to make a plan in case it happens. A possible public health emergency is no different.

You first need to recognize what will happen if a major hurricane strikes, or a contagious disease breaks out. You will most likely be left without food, water, electricity, medications, or transportation. Once you see what you will be left without, it is easier to devise an action plan.

Here are some general suggestions that you can use to help prepare your family for the next public health emergency:

1. Food and Water: You will need to set aside 3 days worth of water and food. For water you want to have 1 gallon of water for each member of your family for each of the 3 days. That means if you have 3 members in your family you will need 9 gallons of water. If you have any pets, you will need to set aside an extra gallon or 2 for them (depending on their size of course). For food, it is recommended that you have 3 days worth of canned (or non-perishable) food items. This includes food for your animals. They do make canned dog and cat food that you can set aside for an emergency.

2. A first aid kit: You can buy first aid kits already pre-packaged in the store. I prefer to pack my own based on the things my family uses. I also add children's and adults Advil to this kit in case someone gets hurt in the emergency and needs a pain killer or fever reducer. Make sure you have some bandages that are bigger than a band-aid. You will also want to include an antiseptic spray or gel to prevent any infections.