Answers to your Earthquake Preparedness Questions
After an Earthquake roads and bridges may be closed - how will you pick up your child from daycare?
After an Earthquake roads and bridges may be closed - how will you pick up your child from daycare?
The time to prepare is NOW. once the Earthquake STRIKES it will be too late. Your family is counting on you!!!
By Jackie Kloosterboer – Speaker, Trainer,
Author – My Earthquake Preparedness Guide
"Jacob, is 2 ½ years old and like many kids his age, he spends Monday
through Friday at daycare. Both my husband and I work downtown and cross a
bridge to get home from work. What will we do after an earthquake if
roads and bridges are closed"? "How will we get to his daycare
to pick him up"?
As the young woman was asking the question you could see the colour
drain from her face as the reality set in. She was trying to make sense
of how they could possibly get to Jacob's Daycare when facing a massive
earthquake. She was gravely concerned and rightly so. What about you - what would you do in this situation?
Imagine - if roads and
bridges were damaged and you could not get to your child's Daycare? What
if phones were not working - how would you make contact to find out your son or
daughter was OK?
The questions this young woman was asking were excellent questions -
questions all parents need to be asking. More importantly, parents need to sit
down with their daycare providers to find out what emergency/disaster plans
your daycares have in place and find out what disaster supplies they have to look
after your children when faced with disaster.
.
Questions to Ask your Daycare Provider about Emergencies and Disasters?
What is your
emergency plan? Find out what emergency plans your daycare
has in place. Do they even have an emergency plan? Do they know
what they would do when facing a fire, a flood or an earthquake? From my
experience, daycares operate differently, some are licensed facilities, some are private, and some kids are provided care by grandparents or friends helping us
out – but it doesn’t matter who provides the care for your child. What matters is - as a parent - you
need to know what your daycare provider has in place to look after your kids
when faced with a disaster until you can pick them up.
What emergency supplies does your daycare have to support your kids? Food, water,
flashlights, batteries, diapers are a few crucial items that will be needed to look after your kids in the aftermath of a disaster. What if your child takes medications, how will he/she receive the medications
they need if you are overdue in picking him/her up from daycare? Make sure you find out what supplies are in place at your child's daycare.
Should you send supplies to your child's daycare? Send your child
with a Grab and Go Kit containing items they will need to better survive in the aftermath of a disaster. You want to include the
basics such as a change of clothes, medications, diapers, formula, food, water to mention a few. And don't forget to include a note from mom and dad - this can be a real comfort to your child as he/she is
waiting for you to come and pick them up. For more info on Grab and Go Kits click here Grab & Go Kit - Extras or Grab and Go Kit Basics
With medications always talk to your family Dr about the best way to do this. Some meds may need to be refrigerated. Let your daycare provider know there are meds in the kit in case other kids have access to the kits.
With medications always talk to your family Dr about the best way to do this. Some meds may need to be refrigerated. Let your daycare provider know there are meds in the kit in case other kids have access to the kits.
What if you can’t get to the Daycare by your regular pick-up time? This can easily
be remedied by having trusted friends or family who live in the area be able
to pick them up. In most daycares they will ask for a list of people who are
authorized to pick up your kids in case you are not able too. We never
know where we will be when facing an emergency or disaster. Even if you
work in the neighbourhood having others identified to pick up your kids is
essential – you may have an appointment or meeting on the other side of the
bridge and unable to return home when facing a disaster.
Who is your Out of Area Contact? Provide your
daycare with your Out of Area Contact. If you are unable to connect
with your daycare you may be able to get info on your kids using your Out of Area Contact.
Your Out of Area contact may be the only way you have to connect with your
family. To find out what an Out of Area contact is use this
link. Out of Area Contact
Our kids will always be our #1 priority and by following the steps above
and having your Family Disaster Plans in place will serve you and your family
well when facing an earthquake or any disaster.
________________________________________________________________________
As Always BE PREPARED - NOT SCARED!
Jackie Kloosterboer - BIO
Jackie Kloosterboer has been leading the way in earthquake preparedness for 2 decades presenting more than 100 Earthquake Preparedness workshops each year to a variety of groups and businesses. She is often interviewed by media outlets across Canada as she promotes the importance of earthquake and disaster preparedness.Contact Jackie to speak at your next group or business event to help you, your family, your staff and pets get prepared for earthquakes or whatever disaster comes your way. Jackie will lead you through the necessary steps helping you identify what is important to you and your family or business.
To reach Jackie with any questions or to book her for your next event contact her at jackie@survive-it.ca or call (604) 355-2414.
Jackie is available for:
- Earthquake Preparedness Workshops
- Preparedness Plans
- In-Home Walk-Throughs
- Preparedness Kits
- Media Interviews
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