Calamities could strike without warning. Earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, and other weather disturbances are elsewhere. What we can do is to prepare ourselves in such emergencies.
I have prepared a checklist for us to remember when calamities occur. These are:
1. Be connected to all family member. During emergencies, communication is very important as it lessen the tension. Maintain a list/s of person/s outside your home that will be of help when the need arises. You should have their contact number. It might be your uncles, aunts, cousins, or any relatives. Post these names and their numbers near the telephone or save in on your mobile phones as additional contact point. You can also include the name and contact number of your doctor, barangay chairman, police station, and other important individual. Tell all family members how to use cellphone responsibly.
2. Familiarize you neighborhood. Ask these question: what is the most frequent calamity or the most possible calamity that would hit your place? Are you near fault lines? Have you experience mild earthquake more often? Are you living near bodies of water like river, sea, or lake? Whatever answer you may have in these question, you can plan your emergency actions well.
3. Learn basic first aid. The knowledge or training in first aid or cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) had been proven to be of importance during emergency situations. With adequate training, you can also respond to situation and can save lives if emergency personnel and rescuers arrive late. If there is an opportunity to study basic first aid technique, give it a try.
4. During emergency, inform immediately the authorities. They are the most knowledgeable in handling and assessing situations. Follow state advisories for safer evacuation.
5. Maintain your composure. Don't panic during tremors. Stay under the table. If you smell gases, don't strike a match. Conserve water in cistern. Wait for rescuers to arrive.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
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