Contents
Did you know natural disasters affect 218 million people and claim 68,000 lives annually?
A natural disaster is a fact of life. They’re unavoidable, unpreventable, and often devastating.
The best way to deal with natural disasters is to prepare for them. Being prepared can mean the difference between life and death.
If you are wondering how to prepare for the most common natural disasters, this short and simple guide is for you.
Learn Basic First-Aid Skills
Learning basic first aid skills can be important to prepare for an emergency. You may not save someone’s life, but you can provide comfort and help until medical help arrives.
You can take a first aid course. You can also watch some videos about the basics so that you know what to do in case of an injury or illness.
Make an Emergency Kit
An emergency kit is the first step in natural disaster preparedness.
It should include items such as a flashlight, a battery-powered radio, extra batteries, and a first aid kit. You should also include an emergency 260 gallon water tank and nonperishable food items like canned goods or cereal bars.
Your emergency kit should have medications and copies of important documents, such as insurance policies, banking information, and birth certificates.
Make an Evacuation Plan
If severe weather or flooding threatens your area, it’s important to have an evacuation plan. This is so you know where to go if there is an emergency.
Pick two places outside of the evacuation zone where family members will meet if they become separated from each other during the evacuation process. One place should be outdoors and the other indoors.
Make sure everyone knows where these places are located so they can meet up in case they get separated while evacuating the home.
Have a Family Communications Plan
Make sure every member of your household knows what to do in case of an emergency.
You should designate an out-of-town contact who can serve as a family spokesperson in case of an emergency. You should also designate a meeting place outside your home where everyone should gather after evacuating from the premises.
You should also have a plan for what to do if someone is injured or missing during an emergency.
Have Insurance Policies in Place
It’s important to have insurance policies in place for your home, as well as for any belongings.
You should also have a homeowners policy that covers natural disasters. If you live in an area prone to extreme weather events, consider an additional flood insurance policy.
You can purchase it through your homeowner’s insurance provider.
Be Prepared for the Most Common Natural Disasters
The most common natural disasters include hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, fires, and tornadoes.
These events can devastate, but they’re also fairly predictable. If you live in an area prone to these types of disasters, you should have a plan in place for how to get out safely and quickly if one strikes.
Don’t forget to browse our site for advice on career, entertainment, fitness, and more.
