I do apologise for it being a while since my last post, here in Australia we have just had our main school year break, 6 weeks of holidays and time with the kids, but I will go into all that later.
Firstly Merry Belated Christmas and Happy New Year to all, and for Monday (January 26th) Happy Australia Day. Here's hoping for a day of family, bbq's, friends and relaxation.
Unfortunately we have suffered through a horrible week of above 40 deg Celsius temperatures here, hot dry and gross for most of last week.This was followed by a summer storm which caused a huge outbreaks of fires. One for which is still burning nearby and is putting several local towns at risk, its over 22000 hectares and counting. Some of these people have lost everything, houses and contents, cars, farms, live stock, etc. Thankfully though to the best of my knowledge harvest has finished and the silos hold the grain. We have also lost our local forest (approx. 75% at last count), timber preservations and saw mills. The impact financially on this area will be big. Especially for those closer to the heart of it. We are close enough its worrying but far enough away to be safe unless things get ridiculously out of hand. We can see and smell the smoke, and the red glow form the highway at night.
Something as tragic as this though puts things into perspective. My kids asked if what we would do if a fire came. Simple answer, Evacuate. Four kids, a husband that isn't always in town due to work, 2 cats and Me, Id probably panic lol. I explained we would grab our important items and go to Grandmas and Grandpas. This lead to a chorus of we can't forget the Ipods, because you know how that is so much more important than the blanket that their amazing Great Gran who has now passed is. *SIGH* So this lead into a something's can't be replaced conversation, which for a 10, 8, 5 and 2 year old isn't always easy to get.
The plan is in an event of natural disaster we pack up and go. I spoke to my mum who was in a town that they had been asked at one point to evacuate (thankfully at the last minute the wind changed so they were safe) and she was packing up their van to come here. Trying to list what was needed. My 16 year old sister freaked out about her personal items that she may loose and tried to take everything. I stood in lounge and looked around, and got swamped with questions myself.
I know what I would take, but to be honest in the event of "pack and go" or just go, would I know where it all is?? Great Grans blankets are in 3 separate cupboards, photos are all over the place and on multiple computers and external hard drives. I know the log in details for the internet to check our insurance details but my husband doesn't. If there's no internet, how do I get this information? Do I have cash anywhere I can grab to put petrol in car if needed? Is the mobile phone charger is an easy spot to grab? Where is the first aid kit? What medicines in everyone on? If any? Do I have printed pictures of my husband, kids or animals in case something happens and we get separated? This shouldn't happen but if three are at school and I can't get there as I'm in another town shopping prior or visiting. Is there an emergency contact list for people I can/should etc call.
As a result I realised we are so screwed in the even of a natural disaster. :( This year my plan is to prepare for one. I am not talking zombie apocalypse, for this I believe after all his video gaming my 8 year old is quite capable of taking the lead on. I am talking about fire, flood, earthquake type disaster. I doubt we will ever be weeks without power but it may happen, if it is a state/nationwide issue.
This year I am going to organise, prepare and have a plan in place. I am in the process of making a home management type binder. In it I will be making a section labelled emergency. I can grab my folder and put the plan into place. Including what to grab, a list for each of my kids to take and pack, and where it all is. This means I need to rearrange my house, sort out files etc. I do not care about games, video consoles, TV's, clothes etc. They are replaceable I want the stuff I cant replace. My angel baby's ultrasound pictures and hand and foot prints, Grans paintings and blankets, Opas blankets and shawls, enough clothes to wear one/wash one, photos I can't replace, etc. I also want survival stuff, some blankets, fresh water, a spare outfit, food. Though our evacuation point is only 1 and a half hours away, depending on what has to be avoided to get there it may take longer.
Are you prepared? What's your plan? Any tips to help us get organised? Did you pack children's entertainment or leave it home?
