Disaster Preparation
What you need to know to prepare for a disaster
Proper disaster preparation can help you manage the feelings of anxiety and panic that often well up in emergency situations. Home emergency preparation includes knowing how to react in specific emergencies and having the supplies on hand that will get you through the aftermath.
A Complete Overview of Emergency Preparation
First, it’s important to carry specific disaster insurance as part of your natural disaster preparation plan. General homeowners’ insurance may not cover damages caused by all natural disasters. For example, you may need to carry flood insurance if you want your valuables covered against water damage; otherwise, the adjuster may find a loophole through which to avoid paying your claim.
Second, make sure your home emergency preparation safety efforts involve disaster kits. In essence, these emergency kits are stores of the essential items you’ll need to survive for prolonged periods without light, heat, electricity, cooking facilities or running water. It also helps to keep a similar kit in your car, in case you get stranded in a remote place as the result of a disaster.
Finally, have a home emergency preparation safety plan in place. Know what to do in the event of specific natural disasters, like tornadoes and earthquakes. Have a home escape plan rehearsed and ready, and have a contingency plan in place in case you need to evacuate your house on short notice.
Essential Home Emergency Preparation Equipment
No emergency preparation plan is complete without access to vital equipment and supplies like water, canned food, matches or lighters and a flashlight. However, there are some less-obvious articles that can make all the difference in a life-or-death situation.
First aid supplies, including gauze pads, antibacterial ointments, cotton swabs and peroxide, should always be part of your kit. Of course, these supplies won’t be much help unless you have a working understanding of how to treat basic medical problems, so make sure your first aid skills are sound.
If you’re vision-impaired, or if you or a family member relies on prescription medications for good health, an extra set of glasses and a cache of prescription drugs is also highly recommended. These will make it possible for you to function relatively normally during a crisis situation.
Finally, many agencies recommend that you include an AM/FM radio in your store of goods, and extra batteries for operating it. Having a radio allows you to receive information from local news agencies and gives you a communication lifeline when all else fails.
