Are You Prepared for an Emergency?

With all the unexpected things that have happened in 2020, it is important to ask yourself if you are really prepared for any type of emergency. Disasters are inevitable and happen to everyone, especially at times we least expect it. When a crisis does occur, it is important to be prepared that way you can feel more comfortable being able to handle the situation. What does being prepared really mean? Here are a few tips to help you be more prepared when a disaster occurs.

Identify the risk.

The first thing to note is the type of disaster you are expecting/preparing for. Each crisis requires a different type of prep so it is important to be able to prepare for all types of possible disasters. Knowing the type of disasters that your area is more prone to is vital for preparation. Some disasters may include wildfires, floods, tornadoes, blizzards, etc.

Sign up for emergency alerts.

By signing up for emergency alerts, you can get notifications sent directly to your phone so you can stay alerted about any type of local emergency and can plan accordingly.

Create a disaster plan and practice it.

After you have identified any potential risks, it is time to create a personalized emergency plan. By having a planned course of action, you and your family will be able to all be on the same page and all be equally prepared for a disaster. Things can get very chaotic during an emergency, so you want to make sure everyone knows exactly what to do. It is also a good idea to have important contacts written down if the power goes out and there is nowhere to charge your phone.

Prep your home.

It is always a good idea to plan for the worst and hope for the best. This includes preparing your home in case the worst was to happen. If the power goes out it is important to unplug appliances and electronics and turn off air conditioners to prevent damage when the electricity surges back on. Leaving one lamp plugged in and on will help to notify you when the power does come back on. If the water line is affected, you can fill your tub with the remaining water in the pipes and turn off the water line. This water can be used for sanitation.

Prep your pantry.

It is always a good idea to have extra non-perishable food available in case of an emergency like the electricity going out which causes all the food in the refrigerator to no longer be viable. The best practice for this emergency food prep is to buy a little bit of extra food every time you go grocery shopping, this way it all adds up and you have a good amount of stored food.

Make sure you have enough water supply.

Water is one of the most essential ingredients for any human being’s survival. People not only use water to drink but we also need water for preparing food, cooking, and hygiene. It is important to have an extra supply of drinking water as back up in case water does not become easily accessible. A good habit would be to buy an extra case of bottled water every so often when you go shopping.

Build an emergency kit for your home.

Along with food and water, everyone needs to have essential items like first aid supplies, medicine, tools, sanitation tools, blankets, lanterns, etc. It is always a good idea to keep your kit in an easily accessible place and to update the contents of the kit yearly in case there is something that needs to be replenished or added. It is also a good habit to have a travel emergency kit that could be kept in your car in case you are stranded somewhere.

Learn CPR and first aid

It is always a good idea to be prepared for all emergency situations which may include providing first aid. Having at least one person per household being certified in CPR is always a good idea.

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