Looking for fool proof natural disaster preparation tips? A natural disaster isn’t something that can be prevented, but there are several steps that you and your family can take to be prepared for one.
That way your home and family are better protected, and you aren’t completely blindsided by whatever is thrown at you.
Maybe you already know several important tips that you should be doing to be prepared for a disaster. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to re-familiarize yourself with what they are.
These are foolproof natural disaster preparation tips that every family should know about.
1. Know What the Potential Disasters are for Your Area
Do you happen to live in tornado alley, just off the hurricane coast, or possibly in an earthquake zone? And if you live in the northeast, blizzards are something else that you need to think about.
Make sure to familiarize yourself with the natural disasters that are likely to occur in your area.
This will help you know what to be prepared for, what supplies to have on hand along with what evacuation plans you need to create.
2. Create a Family Emergency Plan
Sit down with your family and discuss a plan for each of the different types of potential emergencies in your area. Assign roles and responsibilities, designate one or two different meeting places in case one of them becomes unreachable, and practice evacuating your home or sheltering in place.
You should have a list of important numbers put away in your wallet and also a copy stowed away with your emergency supplies.
Also, be sure to have a backup plan for checking in with your relatives to let them know you’re okay because there’s a good chance that the local lines will become jammed.
Should there be any reason to evacuate, make sure that you have more than one route mapped out in case your main route becomes blocked.
3. Keep Your Food Pantry Stocked
In the event of a natural disaster, supermarkets and stores may not be accessible for an extended period of time.
Make sure to keep your pantry stocked with non-perishables that can last for several weeks, such as canned goods, dried beans, rice, peanut butter, nuts, and seeds.
Don’t forget about water – it’s recommended to have at least 1 gallon per person per day (for drinking and hygiene), stored in sealed containers.
4. Stock Up on Emergency Supplies
Besides having plenty of non-perishable food and water tucked away in your pantry, also be sure to stock up on crucial emergency supplies and medical supplies that will sustain you and your family for at least three days (or more depending on the disaster).
Make sure that everyone in your family knows where you’ve stowed your emergency kit that has all of your important documents, flashlights, batteries, tools, first aid kit, and other emergency supplies that you may need following a disaster.
It’s also wise to have some cash on hand in case of power outages and atm’s become available along with a to-go emergency kit ready in case you need to evacuate quickly.
5. Stay Informed About Natural Disaster Preparation
Make sure to have a battery-powered or hand crank radio and multiple ways to receive emergency alerts (such as through television, phone apps, or a NOAA weather radio).
Again, if you haven’t already, I strongly recommend that you sign up on your phone for emergency alerts that will keep you ahead of the storm. Stay updated on any impending disasters or current emergencies by listening for updates from local officials.
If they are urging local residents to evacuate at any time, it’s crucial that you do so. Failing to listen could put each of your family members at great risk.
6. Prepare Your Home for Natural Disasters
There are several steps that you can take to prepare your home for a natural disaster. Now is the time to make sure that you have the proper insurance coverage for your home.
This is especially important for those of you that live in an area that’s known for flooding or possible hurricane damage. Failing to do so can leave your insurance company off the hook for helping you replace your home and valued possessions.
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A disaster can strike out of nowhere, but oftentimes, local weather authorities are able to provide your region with plenty of warning several hours beforehand.
If you’re able to do so, trim any tree branches that could become an issue for your property and remove any debris in your yard that may become a hazard during high winds.
Make sure your roof is secure and reinforce any weak areas. Have sandbags on hand to protect against floods, or know how to divert floodwaters away from your property.
Natural Disaster Preparation: Every Adult and Teenager in Your Household Should Know:
- How to perform CPR along with basic first-aid training
- Where the gas, water, and electric shutoffs are and how to turn them off in case there’s a leak or an electrical short. Also, be sure to keep the necessary tools that are required for these jobs in a place where each of your family members can find them.
- Where to meet following an emergency in the instance that a natural disaster occurs while the family is apart (Work, school, etc.)
In the unfortunate event of a natural disaster, it’s important to stay calm and follow the emergency plan that you’ve prepared with your family.
Remember not to panic and always listen to instructions from local officials. Having all of these tips in mind and being prepared can mean the difference between life and death during a natural disaster. And that’s no exaggeration by any means.
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Stay safe, and take care of your home, but most importantly, yourself and your loved ones. What Natural Disaster Preparation tips do you have to share?
