Humans often face inconvenient and potentially devastating circumstances in a world of unpredictable challenges. The frequency of natural disaster has increased due to factors such as global warming and other uncontrollable elements. Although nobody wishes to experience these events, it’s crucial to understand that survival is possible.
To increase your chances of survival, it’s vital to proactively develop effective strategies before a calamity strikes in your area. Proper and timely preparation can significantly differentiate between tragedy and a stroke of luck. This article aims to provide the necessary information to navigate such situations. So, keep reading to uncover the necessary actions you must take.
1. Formulate Emergency Plans
One of the reasons why many lives are lost is that most people panic during a natural disaster. The lack of knowledge about the initial steps to take and how to ensure personal safety exacerbates the situation. However, if you plan your evacuation and safety for hurricane seasons or potential wildfires, you can significantly increase your chances of survival.
Once you have devised an evacuation plan, it’s crucial to practice it regularly, ideally every month, until it becomes second nature. Additionally, consider participating in local government-organized emergency drills. By joining these exercises, you can learn valuable insights from disaster risk management experts and incorporate their expertise into your plans.
2. Prepare For A Natural Disaster: Pack A Go Bag
An essential component of emergency preparedness is packing a go bag, also known as a bug-out bag. This bag contains necessary survival items that can sustain you during an emergency. A well-equipped go bag should provide enough supplies for 72 hours (approximately three days) up to one week, offering sufficient evacuation or outdoor survival time.
When assembling your family’s go bags, include the following items, among others:
- First-aid kit (including prescription and over-the-counter medicines)
- Extra clothing (undershirts, outerwear, underwear, bottoms, and socks)
- A gallon of water per person and nonperishable food good for three days
- Charging cables and power banks
- Essential documents in a waterproof container (passports, driver’s licenses, social security cards, etc.)
- Spare cash
- Wildlife survival kit (multi-function tools, flashlights, compass, fire starters)
Aside from stocking up on essentials, ensure your bag is also in excellent condition. Its base should be sturdy, and the straps aren’t tearing off. You’ll need your go-bag to withstand the weight of the items and the harsh elements.
If you have children, encourage them to pack their go bags with you. You should explain to them what they’re for without instilling fear. Help them understand the importance of the go bag and teach them what to do with it in case the whole family needs to evacuate.
3. Stay Informed
The best way to prepare for natural calamities is to check your local news outlets and be aware of your surroundings. Fortunately, in this era of easily accessible information, staying updated is easier than ever. Weather authorities typically announce impending hurricanes, blizzards, and other predictable events through TV, radio, and social media platforms.
While landslides and earthquakes can catch us off guard, news outlets often report urgent updates regarding road blockages or potential tsunamis. It’s beneficial to be aware of earthquake frequencies in your area or if you reside near a fault line.
In addition to relying on modern communication channels, it’s worth observing your immediate environment, as people have done in the past. Nature has a way of providing advance indications of impending calamities. Pay attention to any unusual behavior or signs, such as changes in animal behavior based on their supersenses.
4. Keep Your Phones Charged
During natural disasters, effective communication plays a critical role. It enables you to contact emergency hotlines and stay connected with family members who may have become separated during the event. However, this becomes impossible if your phone’s battery is depleted.
Therefore, it’s essential to prioritize keeping your devices charged to a usable level as much as possible. When preparing for an impending disaster, allocate time for charging your phone as one of your top priorities.
Having a functional phone can be a lifeline in critical situations. Ensure your phone is in working condition and ready to assist you when needed.
5. Fill Up Your Car’s Fuel Tank in Advance
When faced with the need to evacuate, gas stations often experience long queues as people rush to fill their tanks. To avoid unnecessary delays and ensure a smooth evacuation process, it is advisable to keep your vehicle’s fuel tank consistently topped up, particularly during hurricane season or other periods of heightened risk.
6. Prepare Your Home for Emergencies
In addition to preparing for your evacuation, it’s crucial not to overlook the readiness of your home for potential disasters. Even if you manage to evacuate successfully, you will eventually need to return to your residence. Therefore, taking steps to fortify your home against natural calamities is of utmost importance.
Besides having a first aid kit and a power generator, you should prepare your home’s structure and internal systems. For instance, keeping wooden planks on hand to board up windows can provide added protection. Clearing the path to your main water, gas, and electrical switches is also crucial. Doing these things could help secure your home so you’ll still have a place to return to after the storm subsides.
Conclusion
While it may seem burdensome to prepare for an event that may never occur, it is crucial to acknowledge that the possibility of a natural disaster impacting your life is never zero. Nature operates in mysterious ways, and the most effective approach to safeguarding yourself is to proactively plan for your safety.
