ReubenSipho

Emergencies can happen at any time and being prepared can make a huge difference to the safety and security of our families. In this emergency preparedness plan, we will identify potential hazards in the area, ways to communicate during emergencies, ways to take care of the family during emergencies, and ways to evacuate the family.

Identifying potential hazards:

The potential hazards in our area are load shedding and earthquakes. Load shedding can lead to electricity surges and cause fires in the house. Earthquakes can cause damage to the house and cars.

Communication during emergencies:

Communication is vital during emergencies. The most effective way to communicate is through phone calls. Additionally, a WhatsApp group can be created to communicate family issues quickly. It is essential to encourage family members to keep checking social media platforms constantly to stay updated on the situation.

Taking care of the family during emergencies:

In the case of a fire, it is crucial to establish a storeroom a little far away from the main house to store things like non-perishable food (such as tin fish, tin beef, macaroni, rice, biltong, maize meal cooking oil, and others). Insurance policies that include any situations resulting from natural disasters can be purchased to help replace any damages caused by an earthquake.

Evacuating the family:

Knowing all the routes in the community can help evacuate the family. Familiarizing oneself with the destinations of these routes can lead to evacuating the family promptly.

Securing the family during emergencies:

Securing the family during emergencies is essential. Fire extinguishers should be fully loaded and be readily available to extinguish fires, teaching family members of different ways to avoid anything that can cause a fire, and making sure all electronic equipment is switched off especially after load shedding.