Natural disasters and artificial threats are hazardous and can strike anytime without warning. People face high risks during these emergencies, so it is imperative to be prepared and have plans for anything that may occur.
Individual preparedness is the key to protecting and surviving with your home and family. When you are at least prepared for the worst, no harm can happen.
Emergency preparedness aims to fulfill responsibilities - that every individual has a role. At times, various hazards are faced by every region and home, and basic knowledge is integral to being prepared.
Knowing your area's risks and preparing for different situations is best. You should also be familiar with the basics of first aid and safety.
THE ESSENTIALS OF GENERAL PREPAREDNESS
Know What To Do
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Before an Emergency
Do you know how and when to protect yourself in emergencies (hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, tornados, floods, etc.)? How about your home and family?
You must have heard much contradicting information over the years and hoped never to hear the same stories about mishaps, damage, or broken homes again. No one can tell what will happen next.
Indeed, the best defense against natural disasters and artificial threats is to study these phenomena, plan, and always prepare for survival or an emergency kit, no matter what kind of disaster you might encounter.
Prepare Your Kids (and Yourself)
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During an Emergency
If you want you and your family to survive emergencies, stay calm, think before you act, and try to comfort others.
Remember to remain prudent during disasters. Disasters are best handled without panic or fright.
Panicking will only worsen the situation and even stress everyone. Keeping calm and collected can have a positive impact on everyone involved.
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After an Emergency
Being disoriented and confused after a catastrophe or disaster is common, but remember, the best way to get hold of the situation is to keep calm.
Bewilderment and shock can be overcome, and coping with a disaster is gradual. However, it can be traumatic if the necessary assistance is unavailable immediately.
Quick Tips After Emergencies:
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- Secure yourself and your family if help does not come immediately
- Dealing with Weather Emergencies
- Make a Recovery Checklist
- Cope and Begin to Move Forward
Hurricane
Over the years, hurricanes have turned out to be home homewreckers, nature, and even a man’s man-killers that have caused the loss of millions of lives and billions of properties damaged, and these are threatening.
If you want your home and your family to survive and recover from this kind of catastrophe, then preparedness and awareness are the keys to withstanding it.
Hurricanes are more intense and destructive and do not occur frequently compared to other natural disasters. The good thing is that you can prepare ahead and forecast the event when you will strike.
You can take steps to protect your home, your family, and even your business from hurricanes.
Prepare your home, family, or business from the hurricane's wrath and keep them safe and secure. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
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When a hurricane forecast has been announced or reported, prepare for your stock supplies as soon as possible. Have a closet or any safe place to keep your goods, clothes, medicines, water supply, or whatever item you need.
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Be prepared to be self-sufficient in an emergency. You must care for yourself and your family for at least 72 hours. Listening to the emergency radio can help you stay informed of the evacuation order in your area.
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After the calamity, refrain from entering a building or any flooded structure. Don’t walk barefoot around. When you are thirsty and run out of water supply, never drink tap water until you have confirmed that it is not contaminated. If there are means to contact local authorities in your area, try to reach them immediately and ask for help or support.
Flood and Flash Flood
Flooding occurs when rivers, streams, and lakes overflow due to heavy rainfall. However, various factors can also cause flooding. For some, it constitutes one of the most recurrent and disruptive weather hazards.
Usually, a flood develops slowly, with a few apparent signs of the forthcoming condition. It usually gives enough warning of the approaching danger.
In a highly urbanized area, a flood is inevitable, and the scariest part of it is the rapidity of the water level as it rises, thus creating a flash flood. Sometimes, in a matter of minutes or even seconds, with little to no warning signs, it significantly increases the danger or risk caused by these flash floods.
Indeed, floods can be distressing to a household or business. Thus, it is essential to identify the flood risk in your locale and educate yourself and your family about what to do and how to evacuate securely when floodwaters start rising.
Below are a few safety reminders to guide us:
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When flooding is forecast, be alert. Monitor your surroundings immediately, listen to the radio, watch the news on television, or go online.
As you may know, flash floods develop rapidly, so it is better to go upstairs or to the highest possible place at home. Do not wait for the water level to rise gradually. It is also important to know the evacuation route in your area.
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Regarding your water supply, such as drinking water, do not settle for tap water. Storing safe and clean water is vital in times of disaster. Before an emergency like flooding, stock up on food and other supplies or an emergency kit. Put up a checklist and a plan. Ensure your family and friends know the plan so you can use it in an emergency.
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When you notice a slow flood, secure your home and your family. In this event, you may have time to prepare and help lessen the damage before evacuation. Never walk to moving water.
If you need to walk through the water, wear rain boots. If you can’t evacuate quickly, call 911 immediately and provide pertinent information about your condition.
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Stay safe in the event of rescue. You may only return home once the authorities declare it safe. It is important to listen to the news about whether your place is secure and stable. Also, check if the water supply is safe to drink. For your safety, boil it for 10 minutes. Throw away the things that have been contaminated with floodwater.
Observation of Flash Flooding
Earthquake
People are exposed to natural hazards wherever they live or work. Many of these hazards may be familiar to you but possibly without full understanding.
Earthquakes, as we may know, occur without warning. It strongly affects every individual, every home, and every region, even the whole nation, within seconds of massive destruction. Thus, you must be prepared no matter where you live or work.
No one can tell when it will wreak havoc on our lives or homes. The good news, however, is that understanding the danger gives you an edge in taking the right steps to reduce or avoid injuries, damage, or longstanding financial liabilities.
With this, being prepared and doing whatever you can so you will survive and recover quickly is very important. Here’s how to get started:
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The shaking of an earthquake can move almost everything: from small to large, from light to heavy. Imagine your home or workplace being picked up like a toy, shaken sideways, or without constant direction – what would be thrown around? Can you prevent it?
Secure your safe and start right now by identifying the hazardous items. Secure all movable furniture, such as bookshelves. Move heavy objects to the lower shelves.
Find time to study whether your area is within the active fault line and whether your ground is likely susceptible to the strong impacts of the earthquake.
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Automatically apply the drop, cover, and hold during an earthquake, especially indoors. In reported earthquakes causing injuries and deaths, the cause was often falling debris or flying objects, and it was rarely a collapsed building.
If you are outdoors, find a clear spot, especially in a wide-open area (away from buildings, trees, and power lines). Drop to the ground, stay outside, and try not to enter a building.
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Remember that aftershocks often follow earthquakes and usually last days or weeks after a major earthquake. Check your gas lines to ensure there are no gas leaks. It is better to wear shoes because broken glasses or chemical spills might occur.
Never walk on the floor barefoot until it is safe. An earthquake can shake an entire state without warning.
Remember, when you prepare and take preventive measures for an unpredictable event like an earthquake, you increase your chances of keeping your family safe and secure.
Earthquake Preparedness and Response
Wildfire
Fire is a threat indoors and outdoors. If a fire breaks out in large areas, it can become a wildfire that can spread to the countryside.
Knowing and learning the basics of the dos and don’ts and when to shun this kind of hazard during the occurrence and recover from the disaster are very helpful in saving lives and shunning casualties.
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You must periodically master and review the evacuation plan, especially when identifying emergency exits, whether you are at home or work. You may speak to authorities in your town to learn the evacuation route in your area and then deliberately discuss this with everyone in your family and your employees.
Safeguard family members who live nearby, know the route, and have the means of transportation. Ensure you have all you need to know, such as how to handle and operate the fire extinguisher and where it has been stored while there has been no wildfire.
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Stay calm and prepare to evacuate safely when a wildfire occurs. If you are inside your car, park in clear vegetation. If you are on foot, leave as fast as possible before you are told to evacuate.
Be prompt when leaving your home or workplace, and clear the roads and trails so firefighters can respond immediately during a disaster.
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Keep in mind that you need to return only when it is safe. Returning to your property can only be done once the officials or authorities declare it safe. If you are injured and need medical attention, seek immediate help and treatment for smoke inhalation, burns, and other kinds of injuries.
In a practical sense, contact your insurance company to assess the damage to your property and file a claim.
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