**Collaborative Post**
Family life is full of surprises, some that are good but others not so much! However, as parents, you will likely have seen your fair share of bumps, scraps, and cuts. And I am sure you don’t need telling twice, as you’ll know, more than anyone, that accidents happen all the time, even with the best of care, planning, and attempting to make things safe. Planning for the unexpected has become a seasoned skill on your resume, and it's a natural thing to worry about.
As every parent knows, the trick is secret preparation (and not being too hard on yourself when accidents do happen!). By having a plan in place, nobody needs to flap when there’s a bump in the road …or an emergency trip to A&E. Below are some tips on how to plan for these surprises, whether that’s power outages or injuries.
Why Every Family Needs an Emergency Plan
Start simple by creating a family emergency plan. There are plenty of templates available online, including checklists for emergency “go bags” that include passports, toiletries, spare chargers, and baby products. Every family will have different things they classify as "necessary items," so make sure to adapt and lists online to your personal family. Whether there’s a household fire and you need to quickly grab valuables, or a loved one becomes ill and you need to drive them to the hospital, these preparations will help and mean you can quickly grab things in an emergency.
Nobody wants unnecessary stress in those moments. And when factoring in managing children, it’s easy to forget the essentials.
What to Do When Injuries Happen
In the event of a major injury, it goes without saying that you should ring 999 or seek immediate first aid. The first point of call is always medical care, so ideally, keep basic equipment like bandages, gause and antiseptic sprays at home. If the injury occurs elsewhere, such as in the workplace, it might be helpful to document the incident, as it’s often possible to seek compensation. For instance, you could gain compensation after filing a fall from height claim. Financial compensation could be essential when navigating extended sick leave and the pressures of supporting a family.
Financial Support After an Emergency
Aside from seeking compensation, it’s smart to build an emergency fund beforehand. This doesn't necessarily need to be a "in case of an accident fall"; it can be useful to have an emergency fund for just in case, anyway, we never know what is around the corner or when we might find ourselves out of work and needing to find a way to pay the bills. Check support systems (like statutory sick pay and universal credit) and decide whether it’s sufficient to protect you if the worst happens. If not, it’s wise to take out some form of income protection insurance. Similarly, you should try to set aside savings each month for a “rainy day” fund – and check that you’re using the best possible account.
Keep the Whole Family Informed and Prepared
These conversations aren’t fun, but everyone should be on the same page. You should simplify conversations for children based on their age, but they still need to know the facts, they still need to know how to keep safe, just in an age-appropriate manner. Explain the processes for each plan and keep written information in a readily accessible location. Include helpful information such as where the fire escapes are, who to contact if parents are in accidents, and numbers for emergency services.
Life is never smooth sailing, but with these steps, your family will be as prepared as possible.
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