As the nation transitions to a working from home and e-school environment, it’s essential for your family to have an emergency plan. We all know the basic layout of our homes, but have we really considered how to respond if an emergency happened?
The below list reviews the topics you and your family need to be fluent in if an emergency occurs.
Family Safety Briefing
- Location of exits – primary vs. secondary options (if available)
- Muster point – where the entire family can gather once safely out of the home
- Person in Charge – make sure everyone has made it safely outside
- Decide as a family if this includes your pets. If yes, know where their leashes or carriers are
- Someone to call 911 – Make sure your phone has signal and plenty of battery throughout the day
- Someone to meet first responders – Take note of badge # and hospital they’re going to
- Location of First Aid supplies and someone to grab them
- If you perform CPR, choose a lead and a backup person
- Fire extinguisher location – Remember we’re not going to fight a fire if we can help it
- Note any hazards between you and the exit such as cords, pets, stairs, etc.
- Items which you will want easy access to if you need to leave your house – car and house keys, phone, shoes, and a coat (if needed)
Virtual Work Meetings
Make sure you are also aware of the above at the beginning of virtual work calls. Below are additional questions for coworkers.
- Have you discussed a safety plan with your family?
- Are there others in your house currently, or are you working at home alone? If you are alone, does someone know your contact information and location in case of an emergency?
Safety Moments
Safety Moments are situations where something hazardous almost or did occur that really gets your head up and thinking about your personal safety. It could be something that happened to you, you witnessed, or you have recently heard about.
By sharing safety moments with friends or coworkers, we can help stop them from introducing similar hazards into their own environment.
- On your calls, ask if anyone has experienced a safety moment recently. It could be in the past week, over the weekend, etc.
- Ask for a volunteer to share a story of something they have experienced in their professional or personal life that is beneficial to share with everyone.
