Yikes! We’ve had quite a time with natural disasters recently. Just consider what went on in our office during the August 23rd earthquake—half the staff bolted as the building was still swaying and the rest of us just stood around in disbelief.  There was much debate on whether it was better to be under the desk,  in the doorway, or outside away from building. What if the building imploded a la Twin Towers?  When the building was shaking, we really didn’t know what was up.  Was it a terrorist attack in the subway underneath us or an earthquake or some other unexplained disaster?

During the quake, cell service was spotty. Since families most likely will not be together during an emergency, each family should take the time to put together a handbook for the nanny in charge of the children. FEMA has a lot of helpful information on its website especially one article entitled  “Are You Ready?”.

We are trying to get the Red Cross to come to one of our nanny trainings to help us develop some much needed guidance in dealing with natural disasters.   DC has always been accustomed to seismic political upheavals , but we had been spared  most of the natural disasters.