One of the things I say continuously in my presentations as a disaster preparedness trainer is “the news channels will never go out of business.”
This means that there will always be something bad for them to report, but that also, there will be far more viewers unaffected by what’s going on than there will be victims.
So today’s tip is “Use the News.”
With current headlines echoing a volcanic eruption and tsunami in Indonesia, and severe weather in the Midwest around Chicago, we have opportunities to discuss readiness.
Most people will watch these stories on the news and say “Oh, how awful!”
But you, being the readiness-oriented in the group can say “You know what we’d do if that happened in this area?” And there you go. Your opportunity to use the news.
Use the news as a reminder to have a fire drill, to examine your home’s structure in advance of an earthquake, to prompt you to check you level of supplies you keep on hand for various emergencies, and to discuss reaction steps with your family.
Do you have small children? Taking the “Here’s what we’d do” approach with them serves several purposes at once.
1. It teaches them to look at bad news in a more positive manner.
2. It involves them in family planning so they can grow up making preparedness a subtle part of their life.
3. It provides an opportunity for them to seek the solution rather than focusing on the problem.
4. It reassures them that you’re in control and things will be alright.
Paul Purcell
Author – “Disaster Prep 101”
(Available at 1800Prepare)
