Fear can overwhelm you when a disaster strikes.
The anxiety that you feel can prevent you from thinking clearly and getting to safety.
As a result, here are some ways to stay calm during an emergency.
Create an Emergency Plan
1. Know your hazards: Understand the potential emergencies that could occur in your area, like floods, earthquakes, wildfires, or severe storms.
2. Create a plan: Make an emergency plan and practice it. Include how to evacuate and what to do if family members are not together.
3. Have a contact person: Choose a friend or relative as a contact person for family members to call if they become separated during a disaster. It’s best to choose an out-of-area contact. Make sure every member of your household has your contact information.
4. Have a meeting place: Pick a place to meet with others. This allows you to know who needs help if someone does not show up.
5. Include your pets: Some emergency shelters and health facilities may not accept animals. Make sure you have an idea on how you will take care of your pets.
6. Gather important documents: Keep important papers together and readily available in case you need to evacuate. This includes health information, lists of medications, birth certificates, marriage licenses, wills, insurance forms, and phone numbers you might need.
7. Make a supply kit: Having a supply kit can help you and your family be prepared. Include the essentials: Food and water, first aid supplies and medicines, blankets and clothing, money, certain tools and household items, cell phone chargers, a battery-powered radio, a flashlight, and extra batteries. Include pet food, water, leashes, and a pet carrier.
How To Stay Calm During an Emergency
An emergency will take you by surprise and you may get anxious and fearful. The key is to manage your anxieties and scary thoughts. Here are some suggestions on how to stay calm and focused:
1. Determine what you will do: Depending on the type of emergency, specific actions will have to be determined. For a fire, get out of the building as quickly as possible, using the nearest exit. If trapped, signal for help.
For a medical emergency, check for responsiveness, perform CPR if necessary, and call for medical assistance. For a natural disaster, seek shelter in a designated safe area, listen to weather updates, and follow instructions from authorities.
2. Focus on the present: It’s natural to have a sudden burst of adrenaline, with some people gravitating toward either fight, flight, or freeze. The important thing is to be present in the heat of the moment. Use positive self-talk to pull yourself together.
3. Take deep breaths: The key is not to panic. Taking deep breaths will help you to reduce your anxiety and will help you to think clearly if something does happen.
4. Think of something positive: After taking some deep breaths, the next step is to think of something positive. A person could say a prayer or think of their favorite vacation spot which will help to counter any negative thoughts.
Another way to manage your fearful thoughts during an emergency is to visualize a red stop sign in your mind. When a negative thought comes, a person should think of a red stop sign that serves as a reminder to stop focusing on that thought and to think of something else. A person can try to think of something uplifting to help calm down during an emergency.
5. Say a prayer: A person could say a small prayer asking God to help them during an emergency. Praying can help manage your fears and anxieties when you are in a scary situation. Asking God for help is a great way to seek comfort and provides hope that God will help you through an event.
6. Evaluate your surroundings: Be aware of what is going on around you. Try to find things near you that can help you get to safety. In addition, use common sense and good judgment in your decisions. For example, don’t stand by a window during a tornado or stay low to the ground if you’re building or home is on fire because smoke always rises.
7. Develop a plan to get to safety: After evaluating your situation, come up with a strategy to get yourself to safety. Follow any evacuation plans you may have that will get you to a safe place. Follow any safety advice from others if you have access to a radio or a cell phone.
8. Give yourself positive encouragement: As you make your way to safety, keep telling yourself that you will make it and that you will survive. In addition, continue thinking of something positive to reduce your anxieties. It is important you do not panic as you make your way to safety.
Steps You Can Take After an Emergency
1. Assess injuries: Check yourself and others for injuries, providing first aid as needed, and addressing life-threatening situations.
2. Contact authorities: Report any major damage or injuries to emergency services.
3. Check on your neighbors: Reach out to your neighbors, the elderly, and people with disabilities to offer assistance.
4. Listen to any updates: Stay informed by listening to local news broadcasts or emergency alerts for instructions.
5. Secure pets: Confine or secure your pets in a safe location.
6. Use emergency supplies: Access your emergency kit for essential items like food, water, and first aid supplies.
7. Communicate with others: Talk to the appropriate authorities to get information on the current situation. Follow any additional safety tips.
8. Follow evacuation orders: If instructed to evacuate, follow the designated routes and procedures.
9. Seek mental health support: Get mental health assistance to cope with the stress you may experience after the disaster.
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