Keeping children and young people safe before, during and after an emergency requires the partnership of many: schools, after-school programs, and any provider of services to kids. Help this partnership work well by sharing your preferred emergency protocols with all people who care for your children. Kids can be trained and supported so that they feel confident and well-informed about the right thing to do. As a parent, care provider or other trusted adult, talk to the others about basic information to share with the child, such as: knowing the proper adults to contact, who to ask for help, and having a back-up place to go if their primary place is unavailable due to emergency. Remember: avoid giving conflicting information; remove fear and disaster images; and be sure the information is age and culturally appropriate.

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September 28th, 2009 | Tags: children, Information, kid, partner, Preparedness, Safety | Category: STAT 5MM | Leave a comment

With school back in session, there are lots of small ways to increase the safety of children. For example – adults can take advantage when the school, police, community group or other trusted provider offers free fingerprinting for kids. It is an extra precaution that does not have to be scary – remember that protecting your children is an act of love, not fear!

Keep extra sets at your home and work to ensure you have proper fingerprint identification at your disposal. There are several inexpensive and simple-to-use kits also available to record fingerprints of all family members. Each set should be paired with a photo of the person they belong to and stored in a waterproof container (perhaps a simple ziptop bag) to protect against dirt and moisture. Replace the photo regularly as the child grows to keep records current.

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September 21st, 2009 | Tags: children, records, Safety | Category: STAT 5MM, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

On 28 April, 1789, a mutiny on the English ship Bounty left Captain William Bligh and a few loyal crewmen adrift in a small boat. Bligh and his ragtag team travelled 3600 miles to safety using only a sextant and a watch. They accomplished this incredible feat despite being thrown into unfamiliar roles and facing unexpected and difficult conditions. In a crisis, you may not have your full team available. Prepare for unexpected staff changes by constructing your own response plan to have multiple people ready to do each job – even leading: cross-train your people in different skills; ensure a shared clarity on your mission and goals; and plan around actions rather than individuals.

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April 28th, 2008 | Tags: crisis, Safety, skills | Category: 2008, STAT | Leave a comment

During 2008, most of us will attend or plan a large number of meetings. Take time at every meeting – even sixty seconds! – to further safety and preparedness. Here are some suggestions:

- Teach and/or practice a preparedness skill (first aid tips; whistle & flashlight safety code; Drop Cover and Hold)
- Point out safety features (shutoffs, exits, supplies)
- Gather information from staff (emergency contacts; special needs; helpful skillsets)

By making it a regular part of your normal staff meetings, you can help preparedness become an expected and respected part of your organizational culture.

From all of us at CARD, we wish you a safe, prepared and prosperous 2008!

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December 31st, 2007 | Tags: culture, Preparedness, Safety | Category: 2007, STAT | Leave a comment

Summertime brings vacations, long weekends and reduced work hours for many offices. Make sure that reduced coverage at work doesn’t reduce your level of response readiness. Check that anyone who is taking time off has appropriately handed off their emergency response duties to someone who will be available and able to respond appropriately.

To increase personal safety and security at home, remind anyone going on vacation to take some basic precautions. Ensure any deliveries will be picked up; leave emergency contact information with trusted sources; and have someone stop by to check the home and create signs of inhabitance by turning on/off lights and opening/closing curtains. Extra preparedness points for people who take the time to know the likely emergencies of the place they are visiting and how to respond to them!

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July 10th, 2006 | Tags: Preparedness, Safety | Category: 2006, STAT | Leave a comment

Protect yourselves and your staff, clients, guests and visitors by making safety and preparedness a part of your culture. Start every group event, meeting or other gathering with a short safety reminder. Suggestions:

• Remind all to Drop, Cover and Hold in an earthquake.
• Note the emergency exits (point them out).
• Share the nearest evacuation location.
• Tell everyone where the nearest fire extinguisher, first aid kit or tool kit is located.

Make sure speaking safety is part of your culture.

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March 6th, 2006 | Tags: Safety | Category: 2006, STAT | Leave a comment

Valentine’s Day is traditionally a day for expressing love. Use this occasion to let the people you care about know how important their safety is to you. In a positive and empowering way, encourage them to embrace preparedness. Make it a conversation about love, not fear and threats. Ask them to take steps to keep themselves safe for your sake.

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February 13th, 2006 | Tags: Safety | Category: 2006, STAT | Leave a comment

This week in 1863, Alanson Crane of Fortress Monroe, Virginia, was granted the first U.S. patent (No. 37,610) on a fire extinguishing system for buildings.

Celebrate your fire safety by checking your fire extinguishers and making sure your fire exits are clear and fully accessible.

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February 6th, 2006 | Tags: Safety | Category: 2006, STAT | Leave a comment

Use Thanksgiving visits as an opportunity to increase your preparedness and the safety of your friends and family. Photos can be a huge emotional gift after a disaster, and they also help identify valuables and can speed insurance claims. Digital cameras make this even easier. Take photos of:

• valuables (financial or sentimental)
• owned or rented property
• family members, especially children
• pets
• your neighborhood

Send copies – printed, digital or negatives – to your out-of-area contact for extra safety.

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November 21st, 2005 | Tags: Family, Safety | Category: 2005, STAT | Leave a comment