It’s important to update a family emergency plan post-divorce
Southern Californians always have to be prepared to leave their homes – sometimes at a moment’s notice. Earthquakes and fires can leave people with mere moments to get out and get to safety. Torrential rains and flooding can also require moving to another location, at least until the worst is over. And those are just the acts of nature to be prepared for. There are plenty of man-made threats worthy of concern as well.
As a result, all Californians are reminded repeatedly to have a family emergency plan in place and to make sure that one’s entire family – including the kids – knows what that plan is. It should include a meet-up point in case family members are in different locations, like school and work, when disaster strikes and they can’t go home.
Unfortunately, when parents separate or divorce, they’re often too busy worrying about other things to update their plan until the next catastrophic event happens. One thing all parents should agree on is that they want everyone to be safe. Here are a few things both parents should have in their homes
Go-bags and emergency provisions for the kids
When parents share custody, even if not equally, each child should have their own go-bag in both homes. There should also be one for the pet(s) if they move with the kids between homes. Both homes should have enough emergency provisions, including food, water, first-aid supplies and medications, in case it’s not possible to leave for a time.
Contact and meet-up point information
Both parents should have a list of family members (on both sides) and others who may need to be contacted. This includes schools, daycare facilities and babysitters. (These parties should have both parents’ contact information as well.) There should be a paper copy in an easily accessible place in addition to being on everyone’s phones since electricity and cell service may be out.
It’s still important to have a meet-up point where kids and parents can reunite – especially if no one can get in touch with each other. Co-parents should assure their kids that no matter how angry they may be at one another, they’ll always put that aside to work together in an emergency.
Ultimately, it can be smart to add a provision about your family emergency preparedness plan in one’s parenting plan to help ensure that each co-parent is committed to following it when – not if – the next disaster strikes.
