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Dougal, Golden Retriever The Bay Net Photo by Anna Bedford |
We don’t expect to have a fire in our home, but we still install smoke detectors. We don’t expect to have a car accident, but we still purchase car insurance and are required to use seatbelts. We buckle our children into car seats and securely fasten their helmets when they ride bikes or go skating. That’s risk reduction—being prepared to minimize the potential harm to those we love during dangerous situations. Disaster preparedness may not be at the top of our already crowded to-do list, but it should be.
How does one plan for the unexpected? Sometimes an uncontrollable situation may arise; hurricanes in Florida, floods in the Midwest, broken levees in the South, or terrorism in New York City. As scary as these situations are, and as vulnerable as one may feel, preparation can be the key to staying in control.
Evacuation can be a frightening event—especially for children. However, with preparation, the stress of temporarily leaving one’s home can be lessened.
During last year’s devastating hurricanes and floods in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, one lesson was made abundantly clear: many families did not have evacuation plans. There are some easy steps families can take to ease the stress and anxiety of leaving their home, and including family pets in that plan is imperative.
Creating a plan should be a family affair. Children can encourage their families to create a plan, and practice their role in it.
A great first step for a child is knowing his or her own address and phone number, and also the address and phone number of a close relative or friend outside of the immediate area. Families should have a prearranged meeting place in case of emergency. Evacuation drills, such as fire drills, can be part of a family’s routine. Family disaster plans include all household members, and that includes the family pets. Remember, if it’s not safe for people, it is not safe for pets.
Some other important ways your children can plan is to include carrying a recent picture of themselves with their pet in a wallet or purse, with the pet’s name, address and phone number written on the back. Being pictured with their pet will help in retrieving a missing pet. Does the pet have any distinguishing characteristics? Sometimes, remembering that Fluffy has one white toe and nine black toes can be the difference between finding her or not.
Asking friends or relatives before a disaster strikes about their willingness to take in family members, including pets, is an important step in creating a disaster plan. As a backup, if family and friends are unable to provide shelter, research pet-friendly motels and hotels, boarding kennels and animal shelters outside of the immediate area. Get familiar with them now, before disaster strikes. Have their phone numbers handy, so reservations can be made at the first sign of disaster. A family evacuation plan must include where to take or leave pets in case of emergency.
Have children create Evac-Packs for their pets. A sturdy, waterproof backpack makes an excellent Evac-Pack. Some important items to include in the pet’s pack are extra leashes, at least three days’ worth of dry or canned food, bottled water, a clean bowl, blanket, chew toys, any medicine your pet takes and instructions for use, and