Someone please tell me

[wvjules]

how I can prepare my "emergency supplies" without alarming my DD?

I can't exactly say "Honey, go get some clothes, we need to pack JUST IN CASE."

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I would pack the stuff w/o her knowledege.

 

[becka]

I would also just take them without her knowledge.

 

[wvjules]

I can't wait 'til later. I'm really anxious now and want to get it done ASAP. (Damned NEWS!!!!!)

 

[JAP]

Jules: may I ask where you would go? I am curious as to a contingency plan. I have seen a lot of people here, who are not paranoid or panicky by nature, posting like you have. If we are all leaving our homes, where on earth are we to go. Has the government given folks alternate areas to go?

I am starting to worry a little about the safety of our country.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

I've had a kit packed since 9/11 and contingency plans are in place. Please don't make it out to be a big deal. Common sense rules here...it's always good to have supplies ready in the event of an emergency. You never know when there will be a chemical spill or a weather event that will cause you to be evacuated.

I live outside of DC and my biggest fear is the traffic a large scale event would cause. Our plans are to go to my father's house about 2 hours north. If that way is blocked or dangerous, we will go to my BIL's house several hours south.

Jules, about your DD...yep, you can and should say that. Kids aren't stupid...they know when something's up and they look to their parents to be prepared. You can tell her that you will make sure that everything is ok, but you want to have supplies ready in case you ever need them.

 

[wvjules]

JAP, I'm really referring where I'd go if I lost contact with my family. Where would we meet. Also, if it's an East Coast thing, which state are we gonna head to, etc. Everyone is gonna end up in a corn field in Idaho! Hey, atleast we'd have lots 'o corn to eat.

 

[Goofyposter]

deep breaths everybody....

Let's look at this rationally and calmly.....

Most educated folks think it's reasonable to expect...and be prepared (as much as you can be) for an act of terror...or for that matter a naturally problem like a blizzard/huricane..etc..

In any of those events....our Federal, State and Local Governments have the responsibility of imforming us if it's prudent to relocate ourselves from an effected area or not.

In any of those events....is should be our personal responsibility to minimize any possible damage to ourselves or our personal property.

After 9-11 the Federal Government took ALOT of heat with baseless cries that they didn't give out enought information to the public...well....we're now getting what we collectively asked for. Dispite the fact of a lack of target/time/place etc.

The odds of any one individual or family being effected by any possible future event is generally low.

The precautions and recommendations being given in the press by the media are intended to help make you feel empowered by knowledge...which should help to curtain reckless fear and actions from such fear which could put someone (or others) at greater risk.

While this isn't pretty....we will all make it thur this ....

When the going get tough....us AMERICAN'S get going!
We will face whatever might occur all together, help each other in the best of our Nation's tradition.
We will see the day when these insanily criminal beautocks are bannished from the face of this Earth!

 

[WillyJ]

I posted my opinion about these "alerts" on another thread link


I'll add here that while I think it sensible to have some sort of emergency kit on hand- flashlight, bottled water, candles, batteries, radio, canned food, etc.- in case of any kind of situation arises, the so-called "information" the government has spewed out about this alert and past others is so vague and uniformative that it's worthless as far as using it to pre-plan some specific plan of action. .

It irritates the hell out of me that our government officials have done this. . . if they have information that can be useful then by all means they should share what they can; but just to get up there and cause people to panic without giving us anymore then "we suspect there might be an attack of kind, some place, at some time but there's nothing anyone can do but worry" is in my opinion totally irresponsible and useless b.s.

 

[JAP]

I feel pretty safe here in Ohio. My mom and granny still live on the family farm in Southeast Ohio. My granny and mom have always been prepared. Especially since the Y2K thingy.

I have always planned on running down there in an emergency. Common sense is always a good thing.

You guys are just worrying me a little. I am at work and have no clue what is on the news. I think WillyJ summed it up very well in another thread.

 

[Saffron]

I would just pack some things for her without her knowing, maybe while she's sleeping or outside playing. Children think very differently than adults. If she sees you getting prepared for an emergency, she may think that emergency is truly going to happen. We may be preparing for "just in case, you never know, better safe than sorry", but children may internalize things very differently. Just pack a few things away. Then if needed, you can explain that you were on top of things and you guys are all set. If she comes to you with any questions or concerns about being prepared, then I would show her and tell her.

 

[WillyJ]

Heck with any emergergencies Jules!! You should just head out to live amongst the Corn just on general principles!!






Seriously- good posts GP, Addicted-to-WDW, JAP, and Maggie. . . being prepared is smart; letting these vague and ubsubstantial warnings cause a panick is an understandable and natural reaction, but not productive or necessary at this point. .

And GP, I definitely agree with you about government officials doing things like this because they were criticized after 9/11.. and personally it strikes me as irresponsible at best and vindictive at worst. . plus if they keep doing this and nothing happens, like the "boy who cried wolf" I'm afraid there will be some solid and useful info they need to put out someday and few people will take it seriously. .

 

[grinningghost]

Just got a chuckle out of the Idaho cornfield thing. But seriously, that's a good question? Where would you go? If it's something like a flood, the fire department can evacuate you to the nearest firehall or hotel or somewhere that's dry. But if it's a chemical attack, or God forbid, a nuclear attack, how far do the effects of those things go? I always was under the impression you had to stay inside wherever you are. Of course it seems a little science fiction-like, but scary to think your kids could be almost anywhere and so could you, but could anyone leave where they are to meet up? Anyone?

 

[Kelsie]

I'm afraid if you're in a field on Idaho, you will more than likely be eating Potato's