A few weeks ago, Q got really interested in emergencies, so we finally practiced our first fire drill, and also an earthquake drill. What was really fantastic about getting this done was not only the practice (which ideally should be done often enough that the responses are automatic); I discovered things we needed to change about the setup of our room to be able to evacuate or shelter in place quickly.
“Oh, we can’t get under this table because there are a bunch of heavy bins to move first! Hey, we are going to need a stool to actually get up out of this window. Oh man, if this stool is in the hallway we are going to trip on it rushing out in the dark.”
Totally unexpected outcome, but so valuable! My goal is to establish “Friday night fire drills” – or more realistically, First Friday (of the month) fire drills.
I also moved two of our emergency gallons of water from the car to the house, realizing it’s probably more likely that we’ll get stuck inside than stranded somewhere else (simply because we spend more time here than in the car).
More info on preparing for emergencies is available at https://www.portlandoregon.gov/pbem/53983
Update: apparently leaving gallons of water in the trunk of your car makes them leak? I’m thinking the pressure changes of temperature or something. Anyway, new plan is to keep them with other supplies in a plastic bin.