The world today has changed massively in multitude of ways. The most noticeable among these changes is the evident environmental degradation. Global warming has gravely affected weather conditions. There have been numerous reports of wildfires caused by extreme heat, devastating typhoons, storms, hurricanes and earthquakes. Millions of lives have been taken over by these natural disasters. Preparing your home and family is crucial so you can be shunned away from experiencing grave casualties.
Nothing beats preparedness and you can take on this task in several measures. Firstly, you have to make time in being updated with current news. Regularly tune into radio and television news casts at least once a day. Subscribe to a local newspaper. Search the internet for recent reports of any catastrophe nearby your location.
The next thing you have to do is to prepare emergency kits. Each kit should contain supplies that can last for at least a week. Your supplies should include the following:
- set of clothes – long and short sleeve shirts, shorts, pants, underwear, socks and good walking shoes. Note that you have to prepare clothes according to the type of potential disaster in your area. For example, include a jacket, muffler, ear muffs and gloves if your area is prone to winter storms.
- no-cook foods or non-perishable items like energy bars, meat jerky, dried fruits and nuts
- gallons of water
- medicines, bandages, ointment and cleaning solution for treating minor cuts and wounds
- toiletries like soap and tissue
- Swiss knife
- flashlight, batteries, lighter or water resistant matches, glow sticks
- sleeping bag or huge taffeta cloth
- money – make sure that you have enough cash in small bills, preferably.
Place one bag in your car and somewhere accessible inside your home so that anywhere you might get stuck, you will have supplies. If you have kids, make sure that they also have an emergency backpack kept in their school. Remember to also pack copies of any identification documents. If you have pets, you also have to make sure that they will have enough food, water and medicine. Include their items in your kits. In addition, place their pet carrier nearby the emergency bag.
You should also ensure that your car is always in great shape. Make sure that you have a properly vulcanized spare tire, spare battery, water for the radiator and sufficient gas supply.
In order to protect your important documents, keep them in fireproof and waterproof lock box. Place this near the emergency kit so in case the unfortunate strikes, you can grab all the necessary items in one go. You should also make copies of these papers. Secure it in another location. It would be preferable if you multiple copies so you can secure it in several locations such as the bank, home of your parents, relatives or friends and in your office.
You must also take the time to discuss within your family about safe routes whenever the unexpected happens. It would even be a fun time for you to create “Emergency Route Maps.” Roughly sketch the directions and post this in common areas such as the kitchen, living room and hall way. Specifically instruct the kids on how to respond to disasters. Always remind them that they have to keep calm.
And lastly, to further avert tragedies from happening in your home, ensure that all features and facilities are in well working order. Check if there are exposed electrical wires or damaged wood structures. Constantly tell everyone to remove plugs when no one is around your home.
Guaranteeing your family and home can be protected even if the worst calamities would strike your location is truly priceless.
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