Keys to Survival in Times of Disaster

When a weather emergency looms or a natural disaster strikes, it's a little late to prepare. Planning and preparation need to happen well before that moment. Otherwise, you'll be ill-prepared or chasing down supplies only to find long lines and possible shortages. Prior planning is crucial, as are strategic purchases. Both need to happen before an emergency threatens. Learn what preparations and purchases prove keys to survival in times of disaster.

Critical for Survival

Water, food, and adequate shelter are basic needs. Storms and natural disasters can affect a region for at least a week, if not longer. Therefore, having enough food and water for each member of the family to last a week is the minimum that should be purchased and stored.

Each person in the family needs a gallon of water per day. More is needed for personal hygiene, for use with dehydrated meals, and for any pets. The importance of water can't be over-stressed. We can probably live without food for a week, but without water, we risk life. Water supplies should be stored where there's no chance of contamination or spillage and where the water can be accessed easily. Antiseptic wet-wipes can save water supplies for drinking and can provide sanitary cleansing.

A major disaster means interruption in food delivery services. Store shelves quickly empty and restocking is interrupted. Therefore, survival depends upon having food already in storage. In addition, food supplies must be edible without need for cooking. Electricity may be cut off or there could be a disruption in fuel lines, making cooking dangerous.

Foods stored for such times need to be accessible and need shelf-life. Containers need to be easy to open. Flip-top cans are a better choice than cans that require a can opener. Foods that are able to be eaten by hand are a better choice than ones requiring utensils. But disposable utensils and paper goods have value and should also be stored. One key utensil that certainly belongs in the storage container is a good pocket knife. It has many potential uses, including personal protection.

Another reason to prepare and purchase necessary items long before threat of emergency is to spread out expenses. For those who live paycheck to paycheck, money for last-minute emergency supplies may not be available. But a dollar or two per week, spread over weeks or months, would be doable.

A back-up heat source for the home is a vital preparation. Disasters don't respect the seasons. They often strike in cold weather or at night. Having a heat source that's readily accessible and safe, can mean survival. In an earthquake, chimneys and gas lines may become damaged and dangerous. But a working fireplace in a major winter storm may be a dependable heat source.

Important for Survival

Several supplies may not be critical for survival, but they are very important. Blankets are extremely important. Other considerations include: pet shelters, fuel for evacuation vehicles, flashlights, batteries, matches, and candles. A battery-operate radio can provide information about local disaster updates. Furthermore, planning where a family will gather during or after a disaster is also an important survival measure.

Having these items in a portable storage container can have a major impact on personal comfort--if not survival: an extra pair of glasses, any needed orthopedic devices, dentures, critical prescriptions, and a first-aid kit. In a disaster, time may not allow a home search for these items. But having them ready to go in a storage container means easy access and being able to grab container and go.

When disaster threatens, it's not the time to make plans. Those plans should already be in place. It's not the time to gather supplies. Those too, should already be in place. A disaster--or threat of one--is time to gather previously stored supplies and hunker down or evacuate. Survival depends upon effective planning for basic needs, strategic purchases, proper storage, and easy access.