Answer the three questions below. Type your answers in the box.
1. If you could only choose six of the items on your list, what would they be and why?
2. For each of the five items on the list—water, food, sanitation, medical, and radiation/safety equipment—write one consequence if you fail to prepare said item beforehand.
3.Whether man-made or natural, disasters do happen. Are you prepared? Brainstorm with your classmates or teacher and create a short action plan that you could use to assist your family in an emergency. Focus on realistic things you can do. Include the following items in your plan:
• “go” box or bag – If you have to leave home in a hurry, what would you keep in a “go” box? Would you use a backpack, duffel bag, or some other container? Where would you store it?
• at-home emergencies – List items you can collect and store at home for use in case of emergency.
• family rendezvous point – Sometimes family members get separated in an emergency and cannot find one another because communications are down. Decide on two places where your family could meet: one local, and one at least 50 miles away in case of a regional emergency.
1. Given an unspecified list, it is impossible for me to know exactly which six items to choose. The following response is based on a general assumption that the items relate to emergency preparedness.
If you could provide the full list, I could offer a tailored response. However, here's a generic answer:
I would choose:
- Water, as it is crucial for survival. Dehydration can be life-threatening within days.
- Food, to maintain energy and nutrition.
- Medical supplies, because injuries or illness can occur without warning, especially during disasters.
- Sanitation supplies to prevent disease and maintain hygiene.
- Communication device (e.g., a crank-powered radio), to stay updated with emergency information.
- Shelter or protective equipment, to maintain a safe environment against harsh conditions or exposure.
2. Consequences for failing to prepare items:
- Water: Dehydration could set in, which can lead to impaired cognition, organ failure, and even death.
- Food: Malnutrition and starvation weaken the body and can make one more prone to illness and death.
- Sanitation: Poor hygiene and waste disposal can result in the spread of infectious diseases and can cause a secondary health crisis.
- Medical: Without medical supplies, minor injuries could become infected, and chronic conditions could become unmanageable, potentially leading to worsened health outcomes.
- Radiation/Safety Equipment: In the case of a nuclear or radiological event, not having protective gear can result in radiation sickness or long-term health effects including cancer.
3. Action Plan for Emergency Preparedness:
• “Go” box/bag: We would use backpacks that are quickly accessible and easy to carry on foot. The go box would include a first-aid kit, non-perishable food, water bottles, a flashlight with extra batteries, a multipurpose tool, personal hygiene items, copies of important documents in a waterproof container, a spare set of clothes, and a blanket. We would store this bag in a designated, easily accessible location.
• At-home emergencies: We would collect and store several gallons of water, non-perishable food for a week, a first-aid kit, multiple flashlights and batteries, candles and matches/lighters, a manual can opener, portable radio, extra medication, and hygiene supplies like toilet paper, soap, and feminine hygiene products.
• Family rendezvous point: Our local meeting place would be the nearby community center, which is familiar to all family members and easily accessible. For a regional emergency where travel beyond 50 miles is required, we would choose the public library in the next town over, as it is a prominent location that serves as a community hub and is likely to offer resources or information in a widespread disaster.