Preparation is your best defense in the event of a natural disaster. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize the value of being prepared until it is too late. Like forms of insurance, being prepared for a disaster is most valuable in dire times. Do you have a plan in place for your family? Read the following information to develop a plan for each kind of natural disaster.
Stay Informed
We rely on television, radio, and social media to stay informed. Your television depends on electricity while your Internet needs electricity and a working signal. Consider how you will stay informed if a disaster strikes. Will you rely on a more traditional device such as a radio? Can you call friends and family members in other areas? Have a plan set in place to stay on top of the emergency situation as it develops.
Create a Kit
Information is a necessity as well as devices which will help you take action. Build a disaster kit comprised of the essentials. You may need to survive until help arrives. That means reserving a supply of food, water, and other necessities. FEMA suggests creating a kit with water, food, can opener, radio, flashlight, first-aid kit, garbage bags, baby wipes, local maps, cell phone, and extra batteries.
In addition, be mindful of special needs of family members, such as prescribed medications and apparatuses that help with mobility, breathing, etc. Don’t assume you’ll have time to collect items from around the home in the event of a disaster. It may be dangerous to roam about the home, or you may have no time to spare regarding locating and finding items.
Develop a Plan
Speak to family members about their responsibilities and expectations when a disaster strikes. For example, where will members meet? Is there a designated safe place in or around the home? Also be sure that all family members know the contact information and day locations of others, including places of work, schools, and friends’ houses. All members should understand how to safely turn off the home’s utilities, find vital records, care for those with special needs, provide first-aid, and care for family pets.
Addressing Particular Disasters
Some areas are prone to specific disasters (Those living in Florida are prone to hurricanes), but it’s smart to be aware and prepared for all kinds of disasters. In the case of hurricanes, be aware of evacuation routes and know where to find higher ground. Cover all windows with heavy wood and find a safe refuge from heavy winds and flying debris.
Those in floods want to bring all valuables to the highest floor of the home and turn off the main switch of utilities if possible. You should never attempt to walk or drive through moving water.
The NOAA Weather Radio provides up-to-the-minute details about approaching tornadoes. The best way to prepare for tornadoes is to get out of their general vicinity. You don’t want to be anywhere near a tornado’s path.
In the event of an earthquake, find safe places to stay calm, such as underneath a sturdy piece of furniture or against the interior of a wall. If shaking occurs, drop to the ground and cover your head.
Wildfires can quickly sweep through an area and home. Clear the home of items that can freely burn and maintain a fire extinguisher nearby. Other household items that are usable in a fire include a rake, axe, saw, bucket, and shovel. A ladder can be used to get to higher grounds if needed.
Winter storms may cancel heat, electricity, and means of communication. Emergency heating tools include wood, matches, and warm clothing and blankets. It’s always a great to know how to purify water when in an emergency situation.
Flash floods are quick and are caused by heavy rains or a broken dam. Free flowing water has enough force to uproot trees, damage bridges, and sweep away vehicles and other large objects. Never drive or walk in rising water. Most cars can be swept away by as little as two feet of moving water. Since a lot of drowning occurs in cars, don’t hesitate to sacrifice the car and leave it behind as you seek higher ground.
When an earthquake, volcanic eruption, or severe event disrupts the ocean floor, it generates a series of humongous waves. Tsunamis can destroy miles of shoreline in addition to bridges, buildings, and other major structures along the coast. If you hear of a tsunami approaching, move away from the coast and go as far inland as you can. Don’t attempt to watch a tsunami; if you can see it coming, then you are too close!
Jeremiah Allen is a co-founder of Fat Prepper, an emergency preparedness and survival blog that aims to provide useful information for people who work to be prepared for any situation.
3 comments
These are terrible situations, but they happen. In fact, everything is fixable, apart from human life. Therefore, in an emergency, the main thing is to save your life and the lives of your loved ones. It is very important that everyone has at least a few evacuation chairs, because with their help you can help others leave the area faster
It’s fantastic that you aare getting thoughts from this article as well as from our discussion made at this
time.
Another way to prepare is to carry a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher in your car 🙂