Disaster Preparedness is a Need, at home or abroad. We never think its going to happen to us, but it does, and it’s best to be prepared. Do you have a plan for emergencies? We’ve seen disasters happen in other parts of the world, but consider your own home area. An epic storm or disaster is possible here as well! What should your plan contain, and what is essential to your safety and support? We can help you with this to keep you always at the ready.
First Step in Emergency Preparedness
Identify what you need to possibly prepare for.
Here is a list of some potential natural disasters:
- Hurricanes
- Tornados
- Floods
- Earthquakes
- Wildfires
- House Fires
- Tsunamis
- Volcanos
- Landslides
- Extreme Heat
- Thunderstorms with lightning & thunder
- Winter Storms, including Blizzards
- Hazardous Materials
- Building collapses
( Some other farther-flung, yet still possible incidents include Terrorism and Wartime, and they need be planned for as well.)
Checklists, Supplies and Plans
Okay, we’ve listed the potential emergencies. Now what? You should create different checklists and plans to handle the specifics of the unknowns. Some may “overlap” similar situations, while others are totally different. For example, the basic supplies would include items like flashlights and batteries in the event of power outages. Nearly every Natural Disaster requires these. So would having spare Cash on hand, as ATM’s would be useless as a result.
The Basic Staples
Water-how we take it for granted it’ll always be there. Whether we’re hiking in the mountains, gone camping, or fishing perhaps, running out of water doesn’t usually top our list of concern. Problems are easier to arise than you may think!
Problems are easier to arise than you may think! This happened to a friend-of-a-friend; they were without power for about a week, during which time they were advised of a Boil-Water Alert. Well, their stove was electric so boiling it inside was not an option. Additionally their water heater was electric so just running hot water was also out. With 3 dogs in the house, they certainly needed water. And often, store shelves can be cleared even under less-threatening conditions. Scores of people stock up for a reported storm that misses expectations. Ultimately, they somehow located and bought a Coleman Stove, and they created a makeshift gas stove. It also served as a heating source and a way to cook simple dinners.
Emergency Supply Solution
In light of similar possibilities, we’d like to share a way to filter and store water. The supply company that we found is a major survival and outdoor gear company; that really matters if you want to adequately prepare for emergency situations. There are water bottles that will filter up to 100 gallons of water. This is perfect for creating drinking water while on a campout or for emergencies. Also available is an FDA approved and BPA free 50 gallon water storage tank. A perfect combination for those emergencies when clean water is scarce or worse, unavailable.
Keep Current of Your Situation
If emergency situations arise (hurricanes, tornados, severe thunderstorms or ice storms), you need to be able to keep informed of emergency alerts. The best option for this is a battery powered NOAA weather radio. You should have one for your home before the next disaster hits. This is always handy when you are out camping and you want ample warning of impending storm activity. Falling trees and high winds may put your life in danger. It would be nice to have ample warning, especially should you be on the water. I was fortunate to have been gifted a handheld two-way waterproof floating radio in my early kayaking days. That description alone should explain the benefits of owning one. Plus, the first five channels are area NOAA stations.
Plan Your Evac Route, But….
Remember that storms, wildfires and the like have no planned course. It’s bad enough not knowing where to go. If a hurricane, for example, is on its way, you need to look up the evacuation routes in your area. You can also contact your local police force for the best routes to take. Be listening out however and vigilant of any Changes that may arise should They become impassable! There are a lot of people that wait until the last minute to evacuate. And evacuation mandates occur more often than you realize.
Fill ‘er Up(in Advance)!
Make sure that you have a full tank of gas and are ready to leave well in advance. This is to avoid being stuck in massive gasoline station lines and traffic. And don’t forget to have your emergency supply kit in the car with other necessities in Advance. Also important; tough shoes or hikers, long pants and shirt and a hat are recommended. Again, a small detail but important.
Disaster or Emergency Includes Prepping Your Home if Evacuation is Mandated!
If you have to get up in the middle of the night to evacuate, make sure that you unplug everything, except, of course, the freezer and refrigerator. But, if there is going to be flood, then you will want to unplug these too. You don’t want to get electrocuted when wading through the knee deep water in your house when you return.
And, don’t forget to lock all the doors and windows. Let your neighbors and family know which way you are going and your destination.
Our Pets Are Our Family Too
You wouldn’t leave your children behind, so why would you leave your pets behind? You need to bring your pets with you. Include them when you are preparing for emergencies. Bring emergency supplies for them too, such as food, medicine, and their favorite blanket or mat, and a toy. Pets are very sensitive and can sense our stress. The more prepared you are, the smoother it will be for everyone. Animals are more easily spooked during times of emergency and can easily get lost or injured.
Don’t forget to check if the hotels are pet friendly or if there are animal shelters near by where you are staying.
Create Your Emergency Kit
When creating your emergency kit, always plan for at least 3 days (or more) worth of food and water for everyone, including your pets. When there is an emergency, you may be left on your own to survive until help arrives. Experts recommend having a gallon of water per person. Staying hydrated is very key to survival. For the food, pack foods that do not need refrigeration and are water tight.
If you are trying to figure out what kind of foods you could pack, try packing freeze-dried veggies and fruits, canned meats, and Ready to Eat Meals. All of these don’t require refrigeration. Most of the time they take up less space and can be ready to eat on its own or with some boiling water. Not to mention, many come in near-gourmet recipes! Also, don’t forget about your out door grill. Keep the propane tank full or have a week’s supply of charcoal on hand. You will thank yourself.
When packing things, try to stay away from cardboard and glass. Cardboard is not water proof and glass can break. Try to avoid salty foods as this will increase your need for water, and you don’t want this in emergency situations. Instead, try high grain cereals, salt-free crackers, and canned foods with high liquid content. Oh yes, don’t forget about your can opener for the cans – the manual kind.
Expect the Unexpected During Emergency Situations
Inevitably, someone will get a cut or a scrape during the emergency. Possibly something worse. Make sure that you pack a complete medical kit with lots of bandages (of all shapes and sizes), antibiotic ointment, tweezers, matches, etc. Make sure that you also take a few extra rolls of toilet paper and hand sanitizer. It is wise to keep some other important things in a water tight container. Like photocopies of your identification (drivers license, passport, medical ids), credit cards, bank accounts and prescriptions.
Make sure that you grab you medication and put them into a zip lock bag, and throw it in with the rest of your emergency supplies. Better safe than sorry as you head down the road for evacuation. You will also want to grab a campstove with cooking utensils, firestarters and a tent. All of these will come in handy as well.
Final Emergency Thought
No matter how thorough you are with your prepping the emergency kit, you will likely forget something. Just take a deep breath and stay calm. When you have a calm mind, you can think clearer, and no one wants to be around someone who is panicking. If you need to focus, do I have a perfect product for you. I have the perfect product just for you. And it is actually in our Emergency Prep Kit as well. Why not check it out here and know you are being the best you during any emergency.
Response Magic