Could You Survive An Emergency? Here’s How To Up Your Odds

Watching the news lately you probably think, man, thank goodness nothing like the Russian/Ukrainian war could ever happen here in El Paso. You're probably right, but El Pasoans have seen two very frightening situations over the past few years. We've had to get through the August 3rd Walmart massacre and only a few months later the coronavirus pandemic. The Walmart massacre was sudden and shocking but the COVID-19 pandemic was like watching a slow motion car wreck. We had some time to stock up on, well, toilet paper, among other things. But what is the best thing to do in an emergency? What do you really need to have at your fingertips to be prepared?

1. Have a Plan - Kids are at school, you're at work, your husband took the day off to play golf. How would you get in touch with each other? Who would be the person everyone could contact to check in?

2. Be on social media - More and more if a story is breaking it's breaking on social media. Click here for Twitter links for news stations, school districts, and law enforcement. Follow them so you can jump online for up-to-date info.

3. Prepare - You need a list of medications and allergies you and your family might have because in an emergency you might not remember all of them. Make the list, print it multiple copies and take a photo of the list so you have it on your phone. You could also laminate it and put it in your wallet.

4. Go bag - Have a duffel bag ready with batteries, a flashlight, a couple of phone chargers, and a little bit of cash. Don't dip into the bag. If you need it, you don't want to find that it's empty. You could also get copies of birth certificates and drivers licenses and keep them in the bag as well.

4. Keep Your Information Updated - Your child's school, your child's caregiver, and even your employer should know who to call if there is an emergency. Make sure those numbers are updated if they change.

If this sounds paranoid or panicky, just think about the last time you had to rush your kid to the ER. I had a bout of low blood sugar when I first began working at KISS and no one knew who to call to come get me and take me home. Emergencies are always unexpected. Be prepared so they won't overwhelm you.