Disaster Preparedness

 

Are YOU Prepared for the Next Disaster?

Disasters can and will happen when we least expect them — a fact that makes them even more dangerous. Disaster preparedness is all about being ready for the unexpected, after all, how many tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions do we have to suffer before we snap out of this constant state of surprise?

Disaster preparedness might not be able to stop a disaster from happening but it can mitigate the damage done to people, infrastructure, and entire countries.


amazon-gold-box-deal-of-the-day-300x150

What Sort of Disasters Should YOU Be Prepared For?

 

Natural Disasters

 

Technological and Accidental Hazards

  • Blackouts
  • Hazardous Materials Spills
  • Household Chemical Emergencies
  • Nuclear Power Plant Disasters

 

Other Disasters to Consider In Your Disaster Preparedness Plan

  • Home Fires
  • Terrorist Threats (explosions, biological threats, chemical threats)

 

Disaster Preparedness Plan

Although there are countless types of disasters that can happen at any time, you don’t need a separate disaster preparedness plan for all eventualities. Even if one disaster preparedness plan doesn’t suit all possible disasters, it’ll certainly go a long way towards helping you, your family, and your property stay safe.

Your disaster preparedness plan needs to take into account the area where you live and/or work and which types of disasters you are most likely to occur.

Do you live on the coast? Is your home nestled in the shadows of a volcano? Is there a nuclear plant on the outskirts of your town? If you’re not exactly sure about which disasters are most likely to occur in your area, check with the local emergency management offices as they will help you to identify the potential hazards and outline the local recommendations and plans in place.

Whatever information you find out to help you with your disaster preparedness plan, don’t keep it to yourself! Share it with friends and family and make sure everyone knows where your disaster preparedness kit is. Explain the warning systems and signals in place for your home, workplace, school, and other locations.

Different communities do use different warning systems as part of their disaster preparedness plans. These might include:

  • Emergency Radio Broadcasts
  • Emergency TV Broadcasts
  • Sirens
  • Telephone Calls
  • Volunteers or Emergency Workers Talking to Citizens

Find out how you’ll be informed of any pending disaster in your area so you’ll be able to implement your own disaster preparedness plan as soon as possible. The quicker you can implement your disaster preparedness plan the better chance there is for your survival, the survival of your family, loved ones and property or business.

 

What Should You Have in Your Disaster Preparedness Plan?

Your disaster preparedness plan needs to include the following items in order to keep yourself, your family, and your property.

  • Disaster Preparedness Kit: Include all basic supplies, food, water, first aid equipment and other stuff which is vital to have on hand during an emergency.
  • Means of Communication: Remember when you’re making your disaster preparedness kit that your family might not necessarily be together. Think about how you will all keep in touch with one another in different situations and locations. Remember that you may not have a cellular signal or a phone charger.
  • Escape Plan: Make an escape plan if you have to get out of your house quickly. Ensure that your children understand how they can escape from your home in a disaster and keep remind them often.  An escape plan is especially important if your home is taller than ground level. How would you get out of the second level if there is a fire on the first level?
  • Emergency Financial Fund: Disasters are not only disasters for your home and family but they can also have a pretty disastrous effect on your finances.  Pre-disaster financial planning is an important part of your disaster preparedness plan. For example, do you have any cash in your disaster preparedness kit? If there’s a power outage in the wake of a disaster, you aren’t going to be able access any cash from ATMs. During a disaster, cash is king.
  • Shut Off Utilities: Making sure that you shut off your utilities in the wake of a disaster is essential. Gas leaks and explosions cause a significant number of fires after a disaster so it’s really important that you and members of your family know how to shut off the natural gas supply to your home. This can prevent a minor disaster from becoming a major catastrophe. Don’t forget about your electricity supply, too! Electrical sparks are often responsible for igniting the natural gas leading to explosions and fire. For your own safety, it’s important to remember to close down the individual circuits before you shut down the main circuit to your property.

The takeaway here is to make sure that you have a disaster preparedness plan in action before a disaster occurs. If you wait, you’ll be too late!