Emergencies are defined by their unexpectedness, and while you cannot account for every potential calamity, there are still a few steps you can take to prepare for the most likely disasters that might strike.
Here are just a few ways to minimize the disruption that unforeseen catastrophes can have on family life.
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Save for a rainy day
Lots of emergencies will end up costing you cash to cope with, whether they come in the form of a vehicle breakdown, a medical bill, home repairs or lost income.
Setting aside a little money each month to act as a fund that you only dip into when the going gets tough is a good idea. The amount you can save will depend on your income and other living expenses, but everything helps; just resist the temptation to dip into this pot in non-emergency scenarios.
Stock up on supplies
Natural disasters which impact the wider community and your immediate geographic surroundings can throw a whole heap of obstacles in your path. In particular, you may find that getting access to fresh food and water is tricky after a hurricane, tornado, floor, wildfire or other dilemma hits near your home.
This is where having supplies that are suitable to help you see out the short term effects will stand you in good stead. This top list of emergency food supplies features purpose-made kits that contain all you need to feed you and your family, with long shelf lives meaning you can sustain yourselves for as long as necessary.
Get insurance
Insurance might seem like a luxury in certain cases, or feel like you are throwing money away for as long as no problems actually occur. However, it can be a huge help in the event that you do need to make a claim, and will often be better than using emergency savings, because insurers are set up to provide expert advice and support when the worst happens.
Insuring your home is a given, but making sure that you have extra cover for uncommon emergencies, such as the aforementioned natural disasters, is worthwhile. It is also important to read the small print and know exactly what you are protected against by a policy before you make a commitment.
Plan ahead & work together
You may feel that, as a responsible adult in the household, it is your duty to put plans in place for emergency situations, and while this is true you should also remember that it is necessary to share these plans with other people.
Keeping your partner and your children in the loop will not only let you share your intentions and help them follow any plan in the case that you need to put it into practice, but will also allow for any flaws or issues to be pinpointed by fresh eyes.
Finally, remember to tailor your plan to your circumstances, especially with relation to where you live and the kinds of extreme weather conditions you will most likely face.