"EVACUATE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY!"

- What we read last night – How Do Dinosaurs Clean Their Rooms, by Jane Yolen and Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten, by Joseph Slate.

I know, I know. If I'm going to have a blog I gotta blog. I'll get better.

One of the scariest and toughest things for kids to understand about emergencies is the need to leave home, and their stuff, and evacuate to a safe location. There is no negotiation when it comes to family safety so we must prepare children by helping them understand what will happening and letting them take part in the preparation process.

In my last blog, we had a scavenger hunt to pack a ready kit/bag. That should help kids understand an evacuation is for a while, not forever. The next step is to explain where you will go during an evacuation and why. Don't beat around the bush - use very basic and simple terms to explain the dangers of violent weather and the consequences of not taking the appropriate precautions. Kids understand the need to take action and want to participate in any process that will keep the family safe.

Use pictures and videos to explain the types of weather events that require an evacuation. Next, use a map and pictures to show children where you will go to be safe during an emergency. This discussion can include the pictures of family members you may stay with and kids they can play with, brochures showing the hotel pool where they'll swim, or the website of a nearby amusement park they can visit one day while away. Evacuations are vital to a family's safety and can be scary, but there is no reason they cannot also be smoothly coordinated and made "almost" enjoyable.

Also explain your plans if an evacuation is not permissible. If a hurricane, tornado, flood, or other event occurs quickly, explain where you will take shelter near or within the house and how you will stay safe. Describe the conditions you will likely encounter and how things may look once the event has passed. Children are incredibly resilient, but more so when they understand what is going on and what to expect.

It is our jobs to have a plan, be prepared, and protect our families. If you include your children in those plans, everyone will all benefit when the plan is put into action.

Scavenger Hunt!!

- What we read last night – Guess How Much I Love You, by Sam McBratney and Jeepers Creepers, by Laura Leuck.

I promise to get the hang of blog posting and be more timely. Update on the query front - I have sent out 28 letters to literary agenst, so far. One has asked for a submission, that is a complete manuscript of my second book. No contracts yet, but no rejections yet, either.

Today's topic - Family Emergency Kits, also known as Ready Kits.

Families that live in areas preparing for major weather events, such as hurricanes or wild fires, should have emergency ready kits prepared. These kits are a duffle bag or backpack you grab on the way out the door that contain everything a family needs that will take care of everyone, including pets, for a few days. Just think of all the items you use in a day - clothes, food, money, water, and toys. Don't forget special items like current prescriptions, diapers for your baby brother, and food for your pets! Also plan to bring special things that are important during emergencies, including radios, batteries, and flash lights. And always remember to bring a cell phone charger!

A great way for the whole family to prepare a ready kit is to have a scavenger hunt to collect your supplies. First, make a list of all the things your family will need. Next, divide your family into two teams, each taking half of the supply list. Then, have a scavenger hunt in your house to see which team can collect all the items on their list first!

Fun and functional. The whole family pitches in and the kids get to learn why each item is important. Have fun and good luck.

Next topic: Evacuations - Where You Gonna Go, Who You Gonna Call!

Notes from an Unsigned Author

- What we read last night – Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night, by Peter Spier, and Tell Me Again About the Night I was Born, by Jamie Lee Curtis.

Inquiries, Inquiries, Inquiries . . . and more Inquiries! That is the name of the game when you’re trying to find a literary agent interested in your work. In one concise and well written page of maybe four paragraphs, agents want to see inquiry letters that include a hook, how your book is different, your audience, potential for revenue, your credentials, and proof you’re not an idiot. One page, tons o’ information. No agent, no publishing contract - so this is make or break time for any serious writer.

Every decent agent, and even bad agents, start their day buried in the infamous “slush pile” of inquiries letters. Hundreds of them. Be smart, be interesting, be succinct. I can nail two out three so my chances are, well, probably not good.

I have created logos, printed heavy stock letterheads, targeted agents who are accepting submissions, and read every agent website and blog written on the internet – twice. It is now time for me to prepare and send my inquiry letters to see if there is an agent interested in Ready Freddie, and the millions of dollars that are sure to follow.

Here we go. Now the fun begins . . .

Earl Hicks Interview with www.PageOneLit.com

PageOneLit.com: You work in the field of security and emergency preparedness -- How can parents teach/talk/discuss with their children about emergency safety? What are some important points parents should discuss?

Earl Hicks: When it comes to children, especially younger children, parents don’t need to “discuss” as much as show their kids and practice what to do. Younger children will memorize from repeated actions more than from discussions. With any developed skill, practice makes perfect and we must practice like we perform. If we do not practice how to act during emergencies, chances are we will not perform very well when faced with an actual emergency event.

We all take part in emergency evacuation drills at work and school but never think to do these same exercises at home. The leading cause of major injuries and deaths are accidents that occur in the home, so it only makes sense to prepare for these incidents at home and with our children. “Ready Freddie” is an important part in these preparations.

The most important point for everyone is to be prepared before an emergency through training and proper tools. This advance action will allow everyone, including children, to react quickly and safely during an emergency and not spend valuable time figuring out what to do. With kids, that means showing them “hands on” and walking them through the steps taken during an incident. Every child should know basic safety practices, including but not limited to:

• how to dial 9-1-1,


• where are the flashlights and spare batteries,


• where are the fire extinguishers and how to use them,


• where is the ready kit and what does it contain,


• where is the radio and what do they listen for,


• where do they go in the house during an earthquake, flood, tornado, etc., and


• what friends/relatives/neighbors do they call or go to if they need help.

Page One Literary Newsletter Website ranks #1 with Google Search for Literary Newsletters out of over 5 million.

Read my entire interview at http://www.pageonelit.com/. Find Ready Freddie book and scroll down to the "interview" link.

Welcome to the Ready Freddie Blog!

Hello and welcome to the brand new Ready Freddie Blog! We are very excited to start this new forum for communicating with parents, teachers, guardians, instructors - you name it!

This site is for everyone that has a child in their life they want to keep informed about safety and emergency preparedness. We can't always be there to protect our little ones, so Ready Freddie will be there to do his part and provide them with the tools and lessons to help keep them safe.

Your information and input is always welcome and could make the difference in a family's life. I do have a background in emergency preparedness and two young boys that I try to teach everyday, but I DON'T HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS. I need your contributions here to make this community one that will benefit everyone.

Together, we can make this the best and most benefitial blog on the internet!