Staying Prepared For Any Evacuation

Whether you live in Florida with the hurricanes or California with the wild fires it is important to always be prepared for the worst. Unfortunately, over the years it has become more and more important for people across the nation to be prepared to evacuate in a moment's notice.

We all know that the possibility of anything could arise at any moment. If you live in a big city we now worry about terrorist attacks. The coastal cities worry about Tsunamis and hurricanes. The Midwest has tornadoes to think of. The mountain communities fear the fire. So, why shouldn't we all have good evacuation plans in place at all times?

I myself have experienced two evacuations in the last five years due to wild fires and have learned quite a few lessons from these experiences. You can never be over prepared for what may come. The preparation for these events doesn't take a whole lot of time but it does take thinking. And let's face it, when the alarm starts to sound that it's time to go none of us can think too straight.

My husband told me during the first evacuation we experienced to look at things from a different perspective. If you can replace it with money later and have it feel the same then leave it here. Words I have learned to live by. All of my sentimental things that I don't keep out on display in the living room now live together in one closet. I keep all my old pictures and heirlooms in one spot so that I am not rummaging through closet after closet in the case of an emergency.

Along with all my sentimental items in the same closet are all of my important documents. Birth certificates, wedding license, pink slips for my vehicles. I do not keep these things in a huge filing cabinet that I will have to go through but in one, easy to move, file folder. I do this so that I can grab it quick and run if I have to.

I always know where the papers are if I need them for any reason. Sometimes it can be a pain when you go to the filing cabinet out of habit to get something and remember that it is in the closet with all the other things but, it works out when I need it to the most.

While running through your home during an evacuation, try to keep an open mind about the nick knacks and pictures on the walls. It may not seem like it but some of these items may take up valuable space in your vehicle. If you can replace something later with money, it may not be necessary to take it with you.

The other thing I have found very important is back ups. We live in the age of computers and digital memories. Most of your pictures are probably stored on your computer. This can be a little bit worrisome when you are facing an evacuation. Even if you do grab your computer tower from under the desk on your way out things can happen.

If your tower happens to fall over during your drive or gets slammed the wrong way you can still lose all your info. Back up everything and have all those discs together by the computer. When you grab your computer tower or lap top grab those too. There is nothing wrong with a little extra insurance you are not going to lose those memories.

In my vehicles I have also learned to be prepared. I don't want to get stuck somewhere and not have the means to survive in my own vehicle. After my first evacuation I learned quickly. I found a website that sold all kinds of survival supplies and stocked up. I have everything from water to water purification tablets to survival bars to first aid kits in all of my vehicles.

You can never be over prepared for a bad situation. If you choose your supplies right they do not take up very much room in your vehicle. A lot of these products will last for years so the upkeep on them is really simple as well. You can also find a lot of these supplies at your local store in the camping section. It may shock you some of the things they have to offer.

Along with a make shift supply kit I also keep clothing in my car. I have learned from living where you can have a surprise snow storm that jackets are very important but the extra clothing can also be vital. There may be a time when you are coming back home and only have what you have with you. This is when the clothes and supply kit will come in handy. If you all of a sudden need to make an overnight drive you want to be prepared for it at all times.

It will take a little bit of thinking on your part for what you need to have ready. I know people who store all of their most important papers in a storage unit out of town to ensure its safety. Everyone will need a different strategy. But, it is important to me that living in the times that we live in for everyone to be prepared for this. No matter how much you believe you are safe from harm the fact is you never know.

A few extra minutes of preparing could one day help you in a bad situation. Keep that in mind. What ifs sometimes turn into reality.