Be Prepared
No matter where you live there is always some kind of disaster that could strike your area. Here in the Seattle area we just had a large amount of flooding which effected thousands of people in our state. It came on suddenly and people literally watched as their houses fill with water. Homes were lost, bridges and roads were washed away and even parts of the highways were shut down for several days. Highway closures caused people to drive 8 hours out of their way in some cases just to get to where they needed to be. My parents even spent several hours taking care of their flooded basement during and after the storm. People lost power and some even lost almost every thing they owned. This was just one storm. Things like this happen every where all the time.
Make it a goal this year to start getting your family prepared for a disaster that may happen in your area. It may not ever happen to you, and that would be wonderful, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Here are some ways you can start getting prepared or continue if you have already started.
- Stash away cash: It’s wise to have some cash stashed away in small bills. This way if the banks are closed you still have money to get the simple things you may need.
- Have lists of emergency numbers and contacts in a visible place for all to see. Sometimes in the event of and emergency we forget numbers we may call all the time.
- Plan escape routes: You need to have a plan of how to evacuate and where to meet in the case of a disaster. It’s best to discuss this with your family often to ensure every one knows exactly what to do and where to meet.
- Know where your utility shut off switches are and how to turn them off. This is very helpful information and can save homes and even lives in some cases.
- Keep track of all vital records and know where they are. We keep all of ours together in a designated place that both my husband and I are aware of. This way it’s easy to grab them and go in the event of an emergency.
- Make an inventory list of all items that may need to be replace in the event of a disaster. You may even go as far as taking pictures or video of these items. This will speed up the insurance process if you should need to file a claim for lost or damaged property.
- If possible enroll or have your spouse enroll in some type of safety training class. This will aid in helping those who may need First Aid or CPR in the event of a disaster. My husband was trained in a program called CERT and is now capable of helping our family and community if the situation arises.
- Have extra food and water on hand. Depending on the situation it may be several hours or days before help can arrive. Have as much extra food and water on hand as possible. Last year our family worked to start creating a food storage and have lots of dry canned and preserved food on hand. You may also want to start eating things in your food storage, such as wheat, on a regular basis so your body is able to handle them easier. Store as much water as possible. Large containers will work for flushing toilets and other things.
- Have a 3 day supply of food, clothing and necessary items packed and ready to grab if you need to leave the house. This should be done for each member of the family and rotated often. Here is a guide to items you will want to consider packing in your 72 hour kit.
- Make sure you have a plan for animals and keep their records up to date. It’s not always possible to take animals along in the event of an emergency, but you can do things to help if you need to leave them behind. Keep their records and tags on their collar so you can be located if you need to leave them behind. Have a pet carrier and keep it handy if you need to transport your pets. Find out ahead of time which facilities (hotels etc. ) allow pets if you plan to take them along.
- Study. The more knowledge you have about being prepared the easier it will be to take care of things. You will also be able ensure that you’re doing the best you can to take care of your family in the event of an emergency.
There are many more things that can be covered, but let this be a start. It may seem overwhelming, but if you do it little by little it’s possible to get things taken care of . It will be so worth if if you ever have to use your knowledge or supplies.
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