Be prepared for emergencies

Have you ever experienced a real medical emergency with a loved one – a sudden heart attack, a seizure, a horrible accident? What about a natural disaster – have you ever found yourself in the middle of a tornado warning? Do your children know how to reach you in case of an emergency? Do you have a family plan in place for natural disasters – including bioterrorism? Emergencies are stressful enough without having to wade through our wallets and houses for insurance information, medical information or our neighbor’s phone number.

Here are some other issues to consider to be prepared for the unexpected emergency.

1. Check to see if 911 is the correct number to call in your area for emergency services. Some areas have a different number and its important to know what your local area uses. Once you know the number, post it by all phones and make sure your children know this number by heart. If you have a speed dial, make it #1 so that all family members can easily remember what number to push.
2. Have first aid supplies and basic medications such as Tylenol or Motrin on hand – including in your car or bag if you are traveling. Speak to your doctor, pharmacist or the local Red-cross to get a list of what is best of have on hand for each season.
3. Make sure people caring for your children know how to reach you in case of an emergency – whether a pager, cell phone, neighbor’s number, work number or home voice mail/answering machine, its important that your contact information be up-to-date. For older children, write down your contact information so that they can give it to emergency personnel if needed.
4. Make sure that the people who care for your children while you are away from home have a signed letter granting them permission to seek medical care for your child if you can’t be reached. Include a bit of pertinent medical information such as past medical conditions, allergies to medications, immunization status, doctor’s phone numbers, and insurance information. Care will never be withheld if your child is in a life-threatening situation and you can’t be reached immediately but the more information care givers have about your child, the better they can care for him until you arrive.
5. Make sure you know what your insurance company allows for emergency care – some do require approval from your doctor’s office for benefits to be covered. While your child will still get emergency care if needed, you could be responsible for a huge bill if you don’t get prior approval. So, while en route to a hospital or shortly after you arrive, be sure to call your doctor’s office to let them know what is going on.
6. Take a first aid and CPR course to know some basic first line steps yourself. The AAP also recommends that anyone who cares for your children also have this training. These classes are plentiful and can be found at local hospitals, your fire department, and the American Red Cross chapters. Your pediatrician can also help you find a class in your area.
7. Have a rendevous plan in case of evacuation or separation. 2-way radios, battery operated radios, flashlights, and food for a couple days are all essential in case of you become home-bound, loose power, etc.

Every second counts in a true emergency and the more information we have about a child, the better we can care for her. The effort you spend now just may save a life in the future. What is a bit scary is that with the new threats in our world, some of these tips may help us in more ways than one – so let’s get prepared now.

© 2005 Pediatrics Now. All rights reserved. PEDIATRICS NOW is a trademark of Pediatrics Now.

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