| ts want to protect their children when surprising | | | | preparation and nutrition should become hot topics for |
| circumstances arise. Whether utility service has been | | | | learning and teaching in your home. |
| interrupted or you’ve been unexpectedly | | | | INFANT AND BABY CARE |
| stranded, there are ways to be prepared. | | | | Babies don’t require a lot of equipment in order |
| PREPARED NOT TO PANIC | | | | to be healthy and safe In an emergency. Pacifiers, |
| The temptation to panic is dangerous when in an | | | | disposable diapers, music players, bouncy chairs, cribs |
| emergency (reference: RULE OF 3'S TO SURVIVE). | | | | and carriers are modern conveniences, not necessities. |
| Little children are sensitive to your mood and will | | | | What babies DO require is nourishment, and to be kept |
| become overwrought if you are upset. Your efforts to | | | | warm and dry. |
| be prepared will give you the confidence you need to | | | | Breastfeeding is a learned skill. Breastfeeding is worth |
| reassure your children. | | | | the time investment as it is beneficial to both mother |
| RELEVANCE OF ROUTINE | | | | and infant. This insures that the littlest members of |
| Find opportunities to institute some semblance of a | | | | your family will have a ready (and mobile) supply of |
| routine in your children’s day. This will give them | | | | nourishment if you aren’t able to secure |
| a sense of stability and show that you are still able to | | | | formula. For bottle-fed babies, you will need to keep |
| function as parent and protector. | | | | formula in stock. |
| ENTERTAINMENT | | | | Infants aren’t able to regulate body |
| When you find yourself isolated, the ability to amuse | | | | temperature and must be protected from extremes of |
| oneself is a necessity. Batteries and generators | | | | heat or cold. In summer, protect babies from direct sun. |
| won’t likely be available for games. Keep craft | | | | An umbrella is a good tool for this. Small ones can be |
| supplies on hand: crayons, markers, paper, play dough, | | | | protected from the cold by dressing them in layers. |
| scissors, tape, etc. Take the time to introduce your | | | | Zippered fleece sleepers can be placed over long |
| children to board games, dolls, toy cars, blocks, puzzles | | | | thermal underwear for nighttime warmth. Sharing a |
| and reading in order that they will be welcomed | | | | bed with several persons will also help keep everyone |
| ‘old friends’ should they need | | | | warm at night. Wool socks, hats and zippered fleece |
| entertainment. It is also wise to keep educational | | | | jackets can keep babies warm during the day. |
| materials stocked (items such as work books, flash | | | | CLEANLINESS |
| cards, pencils, reference books, etc.) in the event you | | | | When water is in short supply or the temperature |
| find organized schooling is no longer an option. | | | | becomes very cool, it isn’t necessary to enjoy |
| PREPARE FOR GOOD HEALTH | | | | the luxury of a daily bath. Locate the warmest area of |
| Your dental health and other health conditions should | | | | your living space and teach each child how to quickly |
| be tended while you have access to remedies and | | | | wash face, hands, feet and privates each day. Before |
| treatments. Rather than neglect those annoying aches | | | | meals, have them wash their hands. This is important |
| and pains, take steps to remedy them so they | | | | for healthy hygiene in rustic conditions. Explain to older |
| aren’t a factor in an emergency. If you require | | | | children the importance of a well positioned latrine and |
| certain medicines, be sure that you have a supply in | | | | show them how to dispose of waste well away from |
| stock. Observe closely the eating, sleeping and toilet | | | | living areas. |
| patterns of your loved ones in order to catch and treat | | | | SKILLS |
| illness early and decisively. Rather than focusing on | | | | Children that have gained life skills will be more |
| your own challenges, take some time to become a | | | | confident in strange situations. Teaching your children |
| student of others so you will be the first to recognize | | | | how to shop, stock a pantry, pitch a tent, build a camp |
| when someone in your party is being adversely | | | | fire, sew, repair small engines, perform CPR, first aid, |
| affected by circumstances. | | | | garden and swim is an investment. Understanding |
| CULTIVATE AN APPRECIATION FOR REAL | | | | what to do during a fire drill, how to fend off an attack |
| FOODS | | | | and having practiced other scenarios are real |
| Tomorrow’s health is affected by | | | | confidence builders. These children have a plan and |
| today’s food choices. Children that are trained | | | | aren’t as likely to panic. |
| to be picky eaters could do themselves harm by | | | | Making preparedness a part of your life will help your |
| refusing to consume needed nutrients. Taste buds can | | | | children avoid panic when moments are crucial. Rather |
| be trained to appreciate a variety of tastes and | | | | than face the unknown with desperation, you will have |
| textures available in real foods, but this can be difficult | | | | a plan and your little ones will know what to expect. |
| if the pallet has been compromised with processed | | | | These measures help families face uncertainty with |
| foods and sugars. Take the time to introduce children | | | | strength. |
| to a wide spectrum of foods. Basic real food | | | | |