Prepare Yourself and Family for Natural Disasters

We all watch the news and see the after effects of devastating natural disasters; most people take a second and think "how horrible" then they go back to what they were doing and just turn the television off forgetting the devastation they just saw. Until one day someone else is watching them on television thinking the same thing, but it really is not that hard to get yourself and your loved ones ready, at least as ready as one can be for disasters. If the proper steps are taken beforehand you and your loved one have a better chance of coming out of a disaster alive and mentally stable.

First thing you should do beforehand is build yourself and your family a disaster kit.

Disaster Kits should include the following;

Food and water for each person for at least three days.

One gallon of water per person per day, do not forget your pets. Every six months change the water.

A ready to eat meal, canned meats and snacks for each person per day, canned juices, milks and soups..

Can openers, One Flashlight per person with extra batteries for each one.

A first aid kit as nice of one as you can get

One roll of toilet paper per person

Napkins, trash bags, paper plates and utensils, feminine supplies, bleach, extra cash, a radio

A tool kit with all the basic tools

One extra change of clothes per person, sleeping bag and coat and a pair of sturdy shoes per person

Remember to include any special needs food or other items if you have someone in your family who needs them, a generator if someone depends on electricity for their special needs.

Any important documents you might need, wills, insurance policies etc..

And anything else you think might be needed for you and your family but remember it is important to have a safety kit even just the bear essentials.

What to do in case of;

Earthquakes; As any natural disaster can an earthquake comes out of nowhere there are no warnings the ground will rumble and everything around you will shake but just as quick as they appeared they will leave the same way. There is no going to the basement to ride out an earthquake all you can do is prepare your home and practice drills with your family and hope that is enough. What to do before an earthquake; secure all bookshelves and anything hanging on the walls, never have anything heavy hanging above your bed. Have one battery supplied light in every room. Know where the safe spots are in every room, under sturdy tables, against a strong wall etc.. practice stopping crouching down and holding your hands behind your head in case you find yourself in a place with no safe spots. Once an earthquake starts remember these things, stay as calm as you can and never run outside, just wait it will be over with as quick as it came.

Tornadoes; With tornadoes there is usually some warning ahead of time but not always as much time as one would want and sometimes never at all. Tornadoes are extremely violent and can cause great devastation is mere seconds so being as prepared as you can be is extremely important. As with earthquakes you can practice drills with your family. Know where you are going, the basement hopefully or to a neighbors basement if you don't have one, a hospital close by . Know where the safe places to go are and always go to the closest one. If you find yourself outside never stay in a car and never take safety under a bridge. Find the lowest flattest spot and lay flat covering your head with your hands. Watch out for flying debris if possible, they cause the most fatalities during the tornado.

Hurricanes; Hurricanes winds can top over 155 miles per hour luckily though there is warning when one is coming. So depending on what category it is you might be able to ride it out at home if precautions are taken. Board up windows if needed and you can, find a safe room preferably without any windows and wait for it to end. Don't ever try and stay home if it is a category four or five your life and the life of your loved ones is more important than your home.

Deep Freeze; Again with a major winter storm there will be warning beforehand so prepare yourself before it happens. Insulate your home to the best of your ability, covering up any leaks in the windows. If you have a fireplace or wood stove then have a ready supply of cut dry wood. Have on hand rock salt to help melt ice on sidewalks, sand for traction for your car, and snow shovels. Dress warm and stay indoors and again wait for it to end.

It's hard to know just what to do in case of any given emergency. Just remember to stay calm during the disaster then assess the situation. Afterwords help those injured if you can if not find them the help they need. Stay alert, hydrated and know that it will be over soon.

References

http://www.sfgate.com/earthquake/ready.dtl

http://www.fema.gov/plan/index.shtm