Mock Emergency Alert – Day 4: Family Crisis
This is Day 4 of testing our Emergency Preparedness.
REMEMBER: No going to a store, or spending any money for the entire 7 days! And please feel free to adapt the scenarios to fit your own family and situation.
You’ve received some bad news – you’ll be in the hospital for an extended period of time – an emergency unavoidable surgery. You’ve been told that when you come home in about a month, you can expect to be bed ridden for at least another month. After that, it will be a slow recuperation but in time, if you’re careful, you should regain most of your former health. This all happens TOMORROW. Today you must help your family prepare for you to have an extended “leave of absence”.
If you are single focus on getting your own affairs settled. Prepare to be absent from your current life situation for two months. Who’s gonna take care of things while you’re gone?
Goal: Teach your family knowledge and skills that depend on you
Today’s Tasks:
- Teach the other members of your household how to do any tasks that normally fall to you (i.e. laundry, cooking basics, mowing the lawn, car maintenance, etc.)
- THIS ARE CRITICAL LIFE SKILLS that you are not doing anyone any favours by not teaching.
- Make sure to pass financial information on to your spouse, significant other, another mature family member, or trusted friend.
- If you’re the one in charge of managing the family schedule and routines, write it all out and make assignments or arrangements for how the family could make it without you
- If you live alone, make a plan for who would look after your house/affairs if you had to leave suddenly
- Make a list of all your logins for important websites that family members may need to access. Either print it and put it somewhere secure or save it in a secure manner on your computer.
- Remember how important sharing is to us all. It is the only way we can learn from another’s experiences.
SHARING TIME: What is the ONE task that would be hardest for someone else to take over if you were gone for two months? Share in our group dialogue for today.
Today’s Limitations:
- For this day, and ALL days of the challenge: no spending money, no going to stores, and no restaurants.
- No other limitations today.
Advanced Tasks because you’re a super hero:
- After teaching your family how to do your “jobs” actually leave for the day or remove yourself from those tasks – testing your family to DO THEM.
- If you’re single or don’t have a large household, pass along the information to a friend or family for taking care of your house and affairs FOR REAL. Give a trusted friend or neighbour your key. Offer to do the same for them. This is not just a plan to do it – DO IT! If you ever do need to be gone, there will not be time to worry about it then.
As we tackle this scenario, let’s discuss strategies for preparing our households, rallying our support networks, and managing the emotional challenges that come with unexpected crises. Share your thoughts, experiences, and advice in the comments below or in our facebook Preparedness group. Remember, the challenge continues with new scenarios ahead. We’re here for each other, and together, we can face any challenge life throws our way. 
Goal: Teach your family knowledge and skills that depend on you
REMEMBER, TOMORROW’S CHALLENGE WILL BE DIFFERENT.
7 Day Challenge REPORT CARD
How’d you do?
Cindy, Karen and Linda
