It is important to be prepared for emergencies that can occur at anytime and can take many shapes or forms. For the near future, experts are predicting very unstable and extreme weather as a result of global warming. So it is worth the time and energy for peace of mind knowing that you and your family are ready for an emergency.
Natural emergencies include flooding, earthquakes, illness outbreaks or pandemics, wind storms, severe thunderstorms, tornados and heat waves. There can also be man-made emergencies such as air and rail accidents, transport vehicle accidents, industrial accidents and terrorist attacks. Some emergencies occur suddenly without warning, while others may have warnings signs before hand.
One thing that all major emergencies have in common is that they can potentially disrupt our normal daily activities; cause damage to property and the environment and in some cases may even threaten our lives and those of our loved ones.
A Home Emergency Plan
It is important for you to have your own emergency plan and a survival kit ready at all times in case of an emergency that would require you to leave your home or be without power and other amenities at home. For everybody’s sake it is worth all the time and planning in order to be as prepared as possible. When preparing your home and family for an emergency, make sure you hazard-proof your home, keep emergency numbers handy and prepare a survival kit. An emergency survival kit should contain enough to keep you and your family self-sufficient for at least 3 days. An emergency survival kit should contain:
- non-perishable food
- crank radio or battery-operated radio with spare batteries
- blankets and sleeping bags (1 per person)
- first aid kit
- candles and matches or lighter
- extra car keys and cash
- important papers (identification card for every one, personal documents)
- clothing and footwear
- toilet paper and other personal supplies
- playing cards, games
All these items should be stored in a bag that you can take with you. Remember to review your emergency kit on a regular basis, and try not to use its contents except during an emergency situation.
Pediatrician DR.PAUL Roumeliotis is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. The information provided above is designed to be an educational aid only. It is not intended to replace the advice and care of your child’s physician, nor is it intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. If you suspect that your child has a medical condition always consult a physician.
Ni muhimu kuwa tayari kwa hali za dharura ambazo zinaweza kutokea wakati wowote na zinaweza kuwa na maumbo au maumbo mengi. Kwa siku zijazo, wataalamu wanatabiri hali ya hewa isiyo thabiti na kali sana kwa sababu ya ongezeko la joto duniani. Kwa hiyo, ni muhimu kutumia wakati na nguvu zako kwa amani ya akili, ukijua kwamba wewe na familia yako mko tayari kwa hali ya dharura. Hali za dharura za asili ni pamoja na mafuriko, matetemeko ya ardhi, milipuko ya magonjwa au magonjwa, dhoruba za upepo, dhoruba kali za radi, vimbunga na mawimbi ya joto. Pia kunaweza kuwa na dharura za binadamu kama vile ajali za ndege na reli, ajali za magari ya usafirishaji, ajali za viwanda na mashambulizi ya kigaidi. Hali fulani za dharura hutokea ghafula bila onyo, ilhali nyingine zaweza kuwa na ishara za onyo mapema. Jambo moja ambalo hali zote za dharura kubwa zina sawa ni kwamba zinaweza kusumbua shughuli zetu za kawaida za kila siku; kusababisha uharibifu wa mali na mazingira na katika hali zingine zinaweza hata kutishia maisha yetu na ya wapendwa wetu. Ni muhimu kuwa na mpango wako wa dharura na kitanda cha kuishi tayari wakati wote katika kesi ya dharura ambayo itahitaji kuondoka nyumbani au kuwa bila umeme na huduma nyingine nyumbani. Kwa ajili ya kila mtu ni thamani ya muda wote na mipango ili kuwa kama tayari iwezekanavyo. Wakati wa kuandaa nyumba yako na familia kwa ajili ya dharura, hakikisha wewe hatari-upinzani nyumba yako, kuweka namba za dharura mkononi na kuandaa kit ya kuishi. Mfuko wa kuokoka wa dharura unapaswa kuwa na kiasi cha kutosha kukuweka wewe na familia yako kujitegemea kwa angalau siku tatu. Vifaa vya kuokoa maisha vya dharura vinapaswa kuwa na: - chakula kisichoharibika - redio ya crank au redio inayoendeshwa na betri na betri za ziada - blanketi na mifuko ya kulala (mmoja kwa mtu) - kitanda cha matibabu ya kwanza - mishumaa na mechi au kichocheo - funguo za gari za ziada na pesa - nyaraka muhimu (kitambulisho kwa kila mtu, nyaraka za kibinafsi) - nguo na viatu - karatasi ya choo na vifaa vingine vya kibinafsi - kucheza kadi, michezo. Kumbuka kukagua kitako cha dharura mara kwa mara, na jaribu kutotumia yaliyomo isipokuwa wakati wa hali ya dharura. Daktari wa watoto Dr. Paul Roumeliotis ni mtaalamu wa matibabu ya watoto na daktari wa watoto kutoka Chuo cha Royal College of Physicians na Daktari wa Canada. Habari iliyotolewa hapo juu imekusudiwa kuwa msaada wa kielimu tu. Haikusudiwa kuchukua nafasi ya ushauri na huduma ya daktari wa mtoto wako, wala haikusudiwa kutumiwa kwa utambuzi wa matibabu au matibabu. Ikiwa unashuku kwamba mtoto wako ana ugonjwa, sikuzote wasiliana na daktari.