It’s tempting to think of yourself as immune to disaster. Floods, fires and famines – those are things nobody wants to think about. But the truth is, no matter what you experience has been thus far, there’s always a chance disaster will strike. And the recent trend has reflected more, not fewer, natural disasters. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported 14 disastrous weather-related events in 2011 that cost over $1 billion in damage – including a record of 199 tornadoes in a single day.
When disaster hits home, preparedness can mean the difference between life and death. While some preparation methods may be financially or environmentally out of reach, there are plenty of easy steps you can take to keep your loved ones safe. A few of the most important considerations are described below.
Emergency kit
An emergency kit is a multipurpose stash designed to keep you safe in a variety of dangerous settings. The supplies included in your emergency kit could vary greatly depending on where you live. For example, a resident of Key West probably does not need to waste precious space with an emergency blanket or other supplies designed for winter storms.
There are, however, a few basic elements needed for any emergency kit. These include first aid supplies, towelettes and garbage bags for sanitation, a flashlight, a weather radio, and any necessary prescriptions that could cause a medical emergency if withheld. Also important is a supply of food and water sufficient to last at least 72 hours. The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends having three-day supply of food and water – at least gallon of water per person, per day, plus plenty of non-perishable items.
Designate a safe space
If you live in an area where tornadoes and strong storms are a risk, you will likely need a room or space where you and your family can wait for the storm to pass (if you haven’t been ordered to evacuate). A basement is generally the safest room during a tornado or other storm. But if you don’t have a basement, you’ll need to have another plan.
Small, sturdy interior rooms – like a hallway, or a bathroom – may be the safest place in your home during a storm. Make sure you’re protected from windows, which could shatter, and keep the area free of furniture.
Reinforce windows and garage doors
Windows and garage doors often prove the biggest household hazards in emergency situations. Heavy wind can force the glass in windows to break, putting residents at risk for severe lacerations. Garage doors can also be problematic if they are damaged, allowing dangerous wind and hail inside the garage. If a hurricane warning has been issued, board up all your windows and use heavy-duty tape to reinforce potential weak spots in the garage door frame.
Take time to check on your insurance policy, and make sure you’re protected against the most common weather-related hazards in your state. Preparing ahead of time – and understanding what to do if a disaster hits your home – will enable you to confidently handle any emergency.
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strongly agree with we should be always prepared for the emergency as we are not knowing that what’s next is coming. That’s why i always carry a first aid kit with me whenever i go to picnic with my family.
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Most of us probably don’t plan for an emergency, or not as much as we probably should anyway. I know they tell us where I live to be prepared for a big earthquake. I know we at least at one point had a few things put away in the event that it happened. Which reminds me it’s probably a good idea to check and update our supplies at least once per year, and probably more often. Batteries only last for so long. Medicine and food eventually expires, and a good idea to rotate them out perhaps.
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Yup, it definitely helps to be prepared for just about any situation. Thankfully, the worst thing my fiance and I have experienced in our current living set-up is a very minor earthquake that caused no damage whatsoever. As for designating safe areas and reinforcing windows and doors – we’re at somewhat of a loss for that one because we live in an apartment complex.
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Matt thanks for the great advice , emergency kit is must to have in every home.
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It’s also vital to think aboutyour area. For example, are hurricanes a threat where you live? What of winter storms and Flooding? Each year I see people scrambling to buy plywood for storms at the last minute, or they’re stuck at home without a snow shovel because the hardware store sold out.
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Thanks Matt! Need to get one of these! Just need to learn how to use the equipment first lol!
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I have a fear of storms, of course we don’t get hurricanes where I am from. However, I do have a safe spot in the house and an emergency kit around. I would have never thought to board up windows – but I can see how that would be a great safety measure. Maybe when I move to Maui I will get on that.
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Very informative post! We must have to prepare our family and ourselves for the natural calamities.
There are lots of information on you tube etc. where we can learn the ways to survive in time of any natural disaster. It is always advised to built your house earthquake resistant. As prevention is always better than cure. Add home maintenance to your lifestyle. By doing regular home maintenance we can avoid problems to a great extent.
Some knowledge of first aid and emergency medicine necessary is a good habit. it can save lives.
good job!!
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A Misery Can be happened any time.In a Metro,In a bus,In a home,in a office or everywhere etc.
so i think it is necessary to have some knowledge about that crisis.
Thanks for the advice.
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Here’s something i have found useful: even though a natural disaster is unlikely to hit you square on (hopefully), it’s more likely you will suffer a power outage as a consequence. I have invested a small amount of $$ in a Uuniversal Power Supply which gives me 20 minutes of juice and gracefully closes my PC when it’s exhausted. Enough time to check out what’s going on the internet (keep your router on the same system) and report the outage – and avoid losing your work. Best $50 I’ve spent in a long time.
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I agree to some extent that we should keep first aid for emergency purposes but when natural disaster happens no one will be spared.For example,when flood comes its possible that the medicare will be lost in the floods.But yes i am pretty much satisfied that one has to keep some medicines at home to treat some minor injuries.
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I am really agreed with what you have said here.Emergencies happen suddenly and one has to be fully prepared for every obstacle which may come in your way and handle it properly.
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It always pays to be prepared. We have no way of knowing when and where we might be forced to deal with an emergency of some sort, and being prepared could be the difference between survival/coming out unscathed, to well, injury and personal or financial damage. Thanks for this great article – and a timely reminder to ‘always be prepared’.
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Agree with you, we must be prepared for the emergency as we will not be informed about any disaster, it may strike us at any time so better we should be ready for it.
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Yes,
I agreed that we can evaluate before about any gripe and pangs.So all things should be manged and have a little attention on that.
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Precaution is better than cure.it is very important for everyone to keep yourself protected because you never know when it is your turn.
nobody’s know what happen tomorrow
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Thank you, for the post.
I was an paramedic in germany and i love my job.
To help the people and rescue their life.
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hello MattHerndon, thank you for sharing this awesome post about emergency, its really informative for me
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Nice Information MattHerndon – In most emergencies you should be able to stay in your home. Plan to be able to look after yourself and your household for at least three days or more.
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Safety First!!! always remember to get ready for any emergency case..
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Useful information here during emergency and to be safe.
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