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How to Prepare for a Natural Disaster

emergency

Essential Supplies You Need

Natural disasters can strike anywhere. While some areas are more prone than
others, it is never a bad idea to prepare. In this guide, learn about types of natural
disasters, what to include in your preparedness kit, readying your home, and
making a plan for the entire family, including for those with disabilities and for
pets. Having a proper plan in place for everyone increases safety, minimizes panic,
and gives purpose in a moment that otherwise may feel hopeless.

The Risks of Natural Disasters

Begin preparing by assessing your risks. Learn about past and current hazards in
and around your community from local libraries and emergency resources.
Common disasters include hurricanes and tropical storms; tornadoes; earthquakes
and tsunamis; floods; wildfire; blizzards, ice, and other severe winter storms.
Identify the emergency resources available in your community.

Set up a meeting point that is easily accessible for everyone in the event of
separation and a lack of access to other means of communication. Consider
choosing one point that is nearby your home, and another that is further away in
case the area becomes unsafe. Choose an emergency contact that lives outside
your region who can contact emergency services or supply you with news
updates. Keep an emergency plan detailing your meeting places, emergency
contacts, and other vital information such as medical needs and identification for
pets. Knowing what to do and where to go in advance reduces the impacts of
disaster on your family, and ultimately may save lives.

How to Build a Disaster Preparedness Kit

Prepare an emergency kit to help sustain your family until further assistance
arrives in the event of a disaster. Keep the kit in a safe, dry space. Include items to
last everyone at least 72 hours, and check the kit periodically to switch out
expired or damaged items. Include copies of vital documents, such as birth
certificates, social security cards, passports and visas, insurance information, and
more. Let’s explore five other important inclusions for your kit.

Food and Water Supplies

Food should be non-perishable. Consider canned items like fruits, vegetables,
meats, and fish. Grains like rice, noodles, and cereals usually have a good shelf life.
Powered milks and eggs can elevate a meal. Peanut butter, granola bars, instant
coffee, cookies, and other treats may provide a boost in morale. Plastic dishware
and utensils may be a great consideration. For water, bottled water is most
common. It is recommended to include 1 gallon per day for each person. So a
family of four, for example, would need at least 12 gallons for a three-day period.

Bag Filters for Water Treatment

Emergency water filtration systems can assist with the burden of supplying
everyone with clean water for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene. One
simple and affordable option is liquid bag filters. Bag filters offer a large surface
area, high flow rate, portability, and filtration of sediment and other debris from
water. When choosing bag filters for water treatment, consider micron ratings.
The micron rating shows the size of contaminants the media can filter from water.

The biggest consideration, however, is that bag filters only provide basic
mechanical filtration to mostly improve appearance. To reduce bacteria, viruses,
and other disease-causing microorganisms, you must boil water or use water
purification tablets in addition to the bag filters. When boiling, bring to a rolling
boil for at least one minute, preferably longer, to adequately disinfect.

First Aid and Medical Supplies

Of course every emergency kit needs a first aid kit with basic items like bandages,
gauze, tweezers, and other necessities. Stock up on needed medications in the
event you cannot access your doctor or pharmacy. It is recommended to have at
least one month in advance of required prescriptions if possible. Other items
include toilet paper, moist towlets, hand sanitizer, tooth brushes and paste, soaps,
and other personal hygiene products. Being trained in first aid and CPR-
certification can also help ensure your family is safe during a disaster.

Tools and Emergency Equipment

Flashlights, lanterns, radios, and plenty of extra batteries should be included in
your preparedness kit. Add utility knives and other multipurpose tools, garbage
bags and ties, wrenches and pliers, a whistle, and matches stored in a waterproof
container. Once you have these basics, look into adding a prepaid phone and a
power bank with cords. Keep a spare set of house and car keys as well as a map of
the local area. Consider equipment that may be unique to your family’s situation,
such as infant supplies like formula, diapers and wipes.

Clothing and Shelter

Supply everyone in your household with at least one complete change of clothes.
Also consider warm sweaters, waterproof jackets, gloves, hats, and closed-toe
shoes or boots for everyone. Other wearable items to consider are dust masks,
safety glasses, and sunglasses. To keep everyone sheltered as comfortably as
possible, add warm blankets or sleeping bags. Duct tape, plastic sheeting, and
scissors are also important shelter supplies.

How to Prepare Your Home for a Natural Disaster

In a disaster, you may need to shut off gas, electricity, and water lines. During the
emergency is not the time to learn how. Know where each shut off valve is and

how to use it. Other things that can be done now include maintaining roofs,
regularly cleaning gutters and downspouts, and trimming trees. Inside the home,
regularly check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

In areas prone to earthquakes, strap down water heaters and secure large, heavy
furniture, appliances, and TVs. Hurricane and high wind regions benefit from
storm shutters, impact resistant windows, and reinforced garage doors. Elevated
electrical panels and heating systems help in flood-prone areas, and fire-prone
regions can use fire resistant siding and roofing materials, and create a barrier by
clearing an area of vegetation around the property. Know to take cover in each
room of your home in the event of falling debris, such as under sturdy tables or by
interior walls. If you live in hurricane or tornado susceptible regions, know which
room is the best for hunkering down in, generally the smallest room with the
fewest windows.

During an emergency, disconnect all electrical appliances, turn off utilities, secure
outdoor items, and close windows. Park vehicles away from trees and undercover
if possible. If you must evacuate, grab important documents and valuables, any
medical necessities, and lock up your home.

Planning for Pets and Special Needs

Every family has their own unique challenges. Make sure to plan for everyone,
including those with additional needs and for pets. Have family members with
additional medical needs wear medical IDs or bracelets with important
information in case of separation. Consider printing cards with pertinent
information or storing it in smart devices if traditional communication is
difficult. Include essential medications and devices in your kit when possible.

Consider ahead of time how to cope with requirements for electricity, safe water,
oxygen, and other special needs.

For pets, keep them up-to-date on vaccinations. Like with humans, keep a list of
special requirements in your emergency plan. Include a recent photo of your pet
as well for easy identification. Secure pets inside before a disaster if possible to
reduce flight risks. In your kit, add pet items including food and water, treats,
litter or other hygiene items, bedding, toys, carriers or harnesses, and other
necessities to keep them as comfortable as possible for at least 72 hours. Also
check in advance for available emergency options for pets in your community.
They may not be allowed in evacuation shelters, so plans for temporary shelter
should be made.

Nobody wants to think about being in a disaster. However, if you do find
yourself in an emergency situation, time is of the essence. That is why having a
clear plan in the event of an emergency can assist you in saving time and reducing
panic and confusion. Ensuring you have a plan of action set in place for everyone
in your household may save lives.

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