Your Quick Guide To Emergency Preparedness

Natural disasters and artificial threats are hazardous and can quickly strike us anytime without warning. People face high risks during these emergencies, and 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 risk 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 

Your Quick Guide To Emergency Preparedness

Know What To Do

  • 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 lots of contradicting information over the years and hoped never to hear the same mishap, damage, or broken homes stories again. No one can tell what will happen next.

Indeed, the best weapon during times of natural disaster and artificial threats is to study these phenomenaplan, and always prepare for survival or an emergency kit, no matter what kind of disaster you might encounter.

Plan For Disasters

Prepare Your Kids (and Yourself)

Prepare Now To Be Safe

  • During an Emergency

If you want you and your family to get the chance to survive during times of emergencies, then keep calm. Think before doing anything else and try to comfort others.

Remember that you must maintain a prudent mind in times of disaster, and it will be handled best without panic and fright. If you panic, you will only worsen the situation and even stress everyone. Keeping calm and collected can have a positive impact on everyone involved.

Things To Remember

  • 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.

The feeling of bewilderment and shock can be overcome, and coping with a disaster is gradual. Most often, it can be traumatic if the necessary assistance is not available immediately.  

Quick Tips After Emergencies:

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.

Your Quick Guide To Emergency Preparedness

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. There are things you can do to keep your home, your family, and even your business safe and secure 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:

  • 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.

  • In an emergency, be prepared to be self-sufficient. You must care for yourself and your family for at least 72 hours. Paying attention to the emergency radio can help you be informed of the evacuation order in your area.

  • 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.

Predicting Hurricane

Flood and Flash Flood

Flooding occurs when rivers, streams, and lakes overflow due to heavy rainfall. However, it can also be caused by various factors.  For some, it constitutes one of the most recurrent and disrupting 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 a must to identify the flood risk in your locale and upkeep yourself and your family on what to do and how to evacuate securely when floodwaters start rising. Below are a few safety reminders to guide us:

  • When there is a flooding forecast, it’s time to be alert. It is best to monitor your surroundings immediately, listen to the radio, watch the news on the television, or go online. As you may know, flash floods develop rapidly, and 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 important to know the evacuation route in your area.

  • When it comes to your water supply, like drinking water, do not settle with 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.

  • 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, use rain boots. Call 911 immediately if you’re incapable of evacuating in time. Make sure you provide pertinent information about your condition.

  • In the event of being rescued, stay safe. 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 the floodwater. 

The Dangers of Flash Flood

 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 havoc on our lives or homes. The good news, however, is that understanding the danger gives you an edge to take the right steps and reduce or shun 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:

  • 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 first identifying the hazardous items. Secure all movable furniture like bookshelves. Move heavy objects to the lower shelves. Find time to study if the area or place you live is within the active fault line and check if your ground is likely susceptible to the strong impacts of the earthquake. 

  • Automatically apply the drop, cover, and hold during an earthquake, especially indoors. According to the reported cases where earthquakes cause injuries and deaths, it is often due to falling debris or flying objects and rarely because of 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.

  • Keep in mind that aftershocks often follow earthquakes. It usually lasts for days or even weeks when a major earthquake strikes. Remember, you must check your gas lines and ensure no gas leaks. It is better to wear shoes because there might be broken glasses or chemical spills. Never walk on the floor barefoot until it is safe. Hence, without warning, an earthquake can shake an entire state. Remember, when you prepare and take preventive measures for something unpredictable like an earthquake, your chances are greater in keeping your family safe and secure.

Earthquake Preparedness and Response 

Disaster Preparedness Kit 

 Wildfire 

Fire is a threat that occurs indoors and outdoors. If a fire blasts in large areas, it becomes a wildfire that can occur both in the countryside and rural areas. 

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.

Your Quick Guide To Emergency Preparedness
  • Now and then, you have to master and review the evacuation plan, especially in identifying the emergency exits, whether you are at home or in your workplace. 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.

  • Stay calm and get ready to evacuate safely when there's a wildfire. If you are inside your car, park in clear vegetation; while 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 to give way for firefighters to ensure immediate action during the disaster. 

  • 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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