What do index cards have to do with emergency preparedness? Just read a bit further to see!
Flash backwards a bit with me to an embarrassing moment in Wal-mart a few years back (2004 to be precise). I’m standing in line, , etc.
Once he’s through paying for his purchases and moved off, I said, “Wow, he must be going on an exciting camping trip.” The woman looked at me with a stare and then said in percussive tones, “It’s for the hurricane.”
“The … what? What hurricane?”
“Oh, Hurricane Charlie, due here in … ” she looks at her watch, ” … about 36 hours.” She stares at me. “It’s a category 5,”
“What?” My heart started thumping. I, to that point, was the most admittedly unprepared person (it felt) on the planet. Hurricane Charlie? A level 5 hurricane?
I hurried and paid for my suddenly NON-essentials and rushed home, panic raising in my throat. Hurricane? Here?
I looked around. I knew where none of my important papers were, let alone back-up copies of all my creative works (in stacks and boxes). Then on top of that, I had no 72-hour kits (yes, indeed, how embarrassing).
From this point forward, I will spare you my belabored story. Just know that I’m glad we’re in 2007 and my family survived somehow 2004 – even though four horrendous hurricanes hit my state in five weeks time. I’m so relieved the Lord spared me from my idiocy and lack of awareness of that time.
So when I speak of emergency preparedness and how important it is, it’s because I’ve come so close potentially to losing everything. My current status is much better, although nearly every day now (no matter the time of year) I walk around thinking, “Oh dear, what else have I not thought of!” :0)
Thus, here are two little tricks I’ve found that work really great (at least for people like me). First of all, make sure you pay attention to the news. One reason I hadn’t been aware of the coming hurricane was because I didn’t read the newspaper nor watch TV because of the hectic nature of my life. I’ve learned better how important it is to at least tune in to the weather channel weekly!
Two, go this week to the dollar store and pick up a pack of index cards. Put the first card up on the fridge – AFTER you’ve brainstormed what you’d hate leaving without during a time of evacuation.
Perhaps it’s finding all your important papers and putting them in a ziploc/waterproof bag (placing them in the closet by the front door for easy grabbing). Or maybe it’s fishing that scrapbook of photos from the attic and putting it right next to the baggy of important papers. Whatever the priority, think of five activities and write them on that first index card. Put the card up on the fridge and each day of this coming week take care of one item.
Next week, start all over again. Think of five things you need to do to complete your family’s preparedness (from memorizing an out-of-state phone number to updating your will); write those new five things on a fresh index card and tape it up on your fridge.
Step by step, week by week, you’ll be prepared before you know it. And then you’ll never be like me – blubbering like an idiot in Wal-mart about an emergency you were clueless about!
