Who knew? This time of year is kind of a big deal when it comes to how we and the City prepare for disaster in Boca Raton. Because mamas, THEY HAPPEN! Whether we get an awful thunderstorm that causes flooding along Second Avenue or (God forbid) a massive hurricane headed our way, it’s essential that our families are prepared both mentally and physically for the worst. Luckily the North Atlantic hurricane season is over at the end of November!
Whenever a big storm hits my neighborhood, I’m always concerned about flooding. My daughter definitely picks up on my anxiety no matter how hard I try. We live east of I-95, so it’s always a worry.
I also worry about loss of power. Our 1981 house did not come equipped with a back-up generator and I realized during Hurricane Irma that we do not do well without internet and air conditioning! Luckily I have implemented several things to ease #dailybocaavery’s storm anxiety. Here’s how you can (and should!) prepare for disaster in Boca Raton…
How to prepare for disaster in Boca Raton | Your Family Checklist
1. Walk your kids through your storm supplies
This means showing them how lanterns and flashlights work. Teach them how to work a headlamp and a battery operated fan. Make sure they feel comfortable and confident using emergency supplies if the power goes out. Store everything in a waterproof plastic bin with the batteries separate.
2. Come up with a disaster plan and talk about it
Decide in advance what your family will do if you ever get notice of a big storm coming. Will you board or shutter your home? Do you evacuate to a neighbor’s house or hotel? Will you leave the state? What about when you get back? How long will you wait before returning, if you left the state? These are all questions that need answering.
Make sure everyone in your family knows what the plan is, so there are fewer questions asked if and when disaster comes.
3. Stock non-perishables
Take your kids shopping and purchase items that don’t expire or have really distant expiration dates. This includes water and canned goods (and wine). Explain why you should always have them on hand.
Don’t wait until a storm is forecast to hit to make sure your pantry is stocked with the basics!
4. Keep new activities on hand
Distraction is a great option for easing storm anxiety. Some ideas to keep your kids occupied (and that you should have on hand whether you’re at home or your evacuation destination) include:
- Puzzles
- Books
- Dolls, Cars, and Action Figures
- Build a fort and have an extra flashlight for them to play with
- Crayons, Coloring Books
- Clay or Dough
5. Power up and download
Take some time to organize your chargers, so they are all easily accessible. Double check that all of your power bars have juice, so you can re-charge devices (like iPads to keep the kiddos distracted) if you lose power. It can happen randomly in Boca! Make sure to purchase a car cell phone charger as well.
Be sure to also download the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County NEW EveryParent app for additional tips on how to help ease your child’s hurricane and storm anxiety. EveryParent has aggregated TONS of relevant information for local families into one location for easy, simple access. It has tips and resources spanning topics like education, pregnancy, safety and yes…kids’ storm anxiety. I promise you will refer to it again and again before or during any disaster!
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