The frequency and intensity of natural disasters have significantly increased over the past few years. In the previous year alone, we saw some of the largest wildfires ever recorded ravage the west coast. Hurricanes came one after the other flooding residential areas and cities with constant rainfall. Worse yet, all of this happened in the midst of a global pandemic.
Disasters are inevitable and the climate crisis is a reality we are all currently facing. Disaster preparedness during these times has become more crucial than ever before. Being the man-of-the-house, defending your home and your family should be your top priority in cases of emergency.
Don’t Wait For The Eleventh Hour
Disaster preparedness can take on different forms from having a “go bag “to taking various survival classes. Essentially, developing comprehensive emergency plans for various situations beforehand is the ideal situation for many households. Follow these general tips to provide you and your family with the best strategy in any type of situation.
Hunkering Down
Your house is the first line of defense against any natural calamity your family might face. Equipping it with the necessary tools can go a long way in helping you weather out the adversities that come with disastrous events.
Often communication and power lines are the first to go down in times of emergency. When electricity gets cut, investing in diesel generators to provide you with enough backup power is vital. Make sure you choose the right type of generator is also important, preferably ones with Cummins engine parts, to guarantee reliability.
Simple radios, battery packs, and other hardware for power can help in keeping in touch with other family and friends in the absence of electricity. They also provide an avenue for you to hear the latest news and updates on evacuation or rescue efforts if necessary.
Nutrition Mission
Of course, stocking your pantry with shelf-stable food is a given in times of emergency. Canned and dry goods are always the best choice since these items are less likely to expire right away even without refrigeration. Having high-protein products like canned tuna, mixed nuts, peanut butter, and even cereals is also a good idea as opposed to caloric, sodium-based food.
Storing your food can make a difference as well. For instance, in the event of flooding, having your food placed in high, dry places can prevent them from getting into contact with contaminated water. Putting food in the refrigerator and freezer can also help them stay cool even in the event of a power outage.
Keep It Clean
Access to clean water is hard to come by especially in times of extended disasters. The challenges that this problem entails can go far beyond just not being able to take a shower. Hygiene and health often come hand-in-hand. Staying clean and sanitized helps mitigate the spread of germs and infections which could otherwise prove to be fatal.
Having a first-aid kit at the ready is a trivial matter that can easily be overlooked. Simple hand sanitizers, some gauze, and other disinfectants should always be present in your household even more so during natural disasters. A sufficient supply of basic medication like antibiotics and painkillers is also important to take note of.
Survival experts also suggest that a household should have enough clean water to last for at least 10 days. This takes into account the drinking and hygienic needs of each member of the family. Invest in dedicated containers that are able to house gallons of water at a time and fill them up before an expected calamity to help ease this problem.
In-Action vs. Inaction
It’s important that each member of the family has designated roles in case of an emergency. You should make sure that an appropriate plan of action is in place and that everyone is aware of it. Knowing that you can rely on each other can also help foster better family ties.
Dedicate schedules to conduct emergency drills with your family as well to help them review their own tasks. It would be preferable to have them seasonally. This could also serve as a fun family activity just as much as it is a necessity.
Are You Ready?
Keep all of this in mind the next time even before a forecast for a natural disaster comes out.
Check your inventory if you already have all the necessary emergency equipment at the ready. Knowing that you and your family are prepared to face whatever calamity might come will undoubtedly help you sleep better at night.
