Surviving Natural Disasters

As human beings, we are always in the danger zone so you must be prepared for anything that comes your way. For any danger we may face, it is wise to have a safety plan and emergency supplies on hand because there is no telling what nature has in store for us. From earthquakes to thunderstorms, every year many human lives are taken from the result of force of nature.

Standing the Earthquake

The number one rule if you own a store or a house with lots of shelves is to store all heavy objects on lower shelves and it's best to fasten shelving's to the walls. Also store glassware, breakables, and fragile equipment and merchandise in latched cabinets, in which closer to the floor is better. When a quake strikes the particular area that you are in, stand in a doorway or protect yourself under a sturdy desk or table placed near an inside wall away from windows. You're in more danger from falling furniture and glass than from your house collapsing. When the earthquake is over turn off all electricity and shut off gas immediately and once it's safe to come out of hiding, you should always check and listen for gas line leaks. When you are sure that it is 100% safe, turn the power back in and check the circuit breakers. Leave the gas for the utility company to reactivate.

Against the Floods

Always be prepared to battle minor flooding in parts of countries that have a great chance in flooding. Always have plywood, nails, and sandbags on hand and ready to block and board up basement doors and windows. Having waders or at least high-knee rubber boots is a necessity because flood water is ice cold and without protection you won't be able to feel anything. Have adequate basement pumps, including a gasoline-powered backup and always vent you pumps away from the house so the water you've pumped doesn't flow back into the basement. Store fresh water and perishable goods to an upper level bathtub or outdoor under tarpaulins in case there is no food supply or the water becomes contaminated. In order to survive, know the warning signs and alert signals. Experienced flood victims pack vehicles days in advance to take them to temporary storage. When the time comes shut off the power and utilities, leave windows and doors open to give water an exit and say goodbye.

Running Through the Winds

Hurricane and tornadoes are high vicious winds that can cause mass destruction to anything that stands in the way. Of the two, tornadoes are more dangerous because their unpredictability and violent wind velocity. According to the National Weather Service about 800 tornadoes are reported in the United States each year resulting in around 80 deaths and more than 1,500 injuries. In contrast, only six hurricanes will hit a U.S. coastline every five years and only two will measure category 3 or higher. The safest place during a tornado is under a table in a basement, in the corner closest to to the direction from which the storm is approaching. Another option would be a ground-level, windowless room or a bathtub. If you are down on your luck and are stranded outside with no buildings around you, the best place to be is face down in a ditch or a groove in the earth, so start digging.

The worst place to be during these two high velocity winds is in a car or a mobile home. Once you get word or alert from a trusted source, head for a public shelter, usually a school or municipal building. The worst place to be outside during a hurricane is on a beach. Throw yourself face down in a depression area as far from the water as possible.

Blocking Electricity From a Thunderstorm

Although thunder won't hurt you, lightning can kill you in an instant with the average bolt charged with about 30 million volts of electricity. According to the National Weather Service, 90 deaths a year are are attributed to lightning strikes. Most of the time, large thunderstorms are accompanied by high winds gusting up to 60 miles per hour and hailstones that range from pea size to large as a softball. Where can you take cover and be safe? Take shelter in your house away from appliances, plumbing, the telephone or anything that conducts electricity. Another place you can be safe is a car with the windows up but away from trees or poles with power lines that might break due to the wind. Heading for an open area is to be avoided at all costs and standing under or near a single tree, utility pole, metal fencing or any body of water is not recommended at all. To estimate your distance in miles from a storm, count the seconds between a lightning flash and the thunder clap and divide by five.

Remember that your first priority in any natural disaster is your personal and family safety. You are not a scientist nor Benjamin Franklin, so keep the umbrellas tucked in and body low to the ground.