The
tornadoes that devastated Oklahoma and other parts of the South recently make
it clear that natural disasters can strike at any time. Hurricane season has
just started and parts of the South are already being impacted. And all of that
is not to mention constant concerns about attacks on America. Are you prepared?
Do you have your necessities packed and ready to go?
If not, please take the
time to review this checklist to help you build one that the team at Insurance
Town has put together in collaboration with Safecastle.com. Your family's lives
may depend upon it some day. Just gather the items listed below and keep in a
location that is easy to access and is known to the whole family.
Water
FEMA
advises that you should have at least one gallon of water per person per day.
Family members who are elderly, infirm, or pregnant may require more. The water
is primarily for drinking, but the recommended amount per day includes water
for washing hands and brushing teeth. A good rule-of-thumb is to prepare for three
days (72 hours) without access to clean water. However, the devastation of
Hurricane Katrina demonstrated that the reality could be much longer than 72
hours depending upon where you live; plan accordingly. You can either choose to
store clean water in a sealed container or use a portable filter
like this one from Berkey that offers
optional features like solar power capabilities and an LED lit base.
Food
Experts
say to pack 3 days of non-perishable food per person. Non-perishable foods do
not require any form of refrigeration for them to stay good. It is best to choose
foods that do not require cooking or water since both could be unavailable
during a disaster. Safecastle offers MRE STAR prepackaged meals which require no cooking or
water and are in good standing with the USDA and the FDA. Beware of emergency
food bars that contain coconut oil or other tropical oils as many people prove
allergic to these. Be certain to choose food that your family will be able to
eat.
Important
Paperwork
In
the case of any disaster, it is a good idea to hope for the best, but plan for
the worst. Make certain that you have copies of all of your family's important
papers -- such as passports, birth certificates, social security cards, medical
insurance cards, medical prescriptions, firearm registrations, deeds, titles,
house and car insurance contracts, and any other papers or information you may
need to rebuild your life if your house is destroyed.
Useful
Tools
Each
person has their own idea what makes the "perfect" collection of
survival tools for their "bug-out bag". Without going into specifics,
here are general items that should be in any decent survival kit:
Supplies
for Personal Hygiene
Sometimes
personal hygiene issues can make us feel the most vulnerable and helpless. You
can keep your family from feeling this vulnerability and maybe even be able to
help others. Be certain to pack moist towelettes, face tissue, toothbrushes,
toothpaste, combs, towels, soap, and any other personal hygiene supplies your
family may need to be comfortable.
Personal
Electronics
Many
people these days have a smartphone or tablet computer. There are also small
portable game systems, cell phones, laptops, and a host of other small
electronic devices that might prove useful, if you can keep them charged. If
your family depends upon their personal electronics, then you may want to
invest in a solar-powered charger or a small hand crank generator for your survival kit.
Otherwise, make certain that you pack lots of batteries to keep those personal
electronics fed; lithium batteries have the best shelf life.
Dress
for Disaster
Be
prepared for changing weather conditions for you and your family when you leave
your home. Here are some tips for properly dressing for a disaster:
- Dress in Multiple Layers
- Wear Sturdy Comfortable Shoes
- Carry Light Rain Gear
Shelter
in Place
Sometimes
the disaster is of such a nature that the authorities determine the best course
of action to keep people safe is to implement shelter in place protocols. To be
prepared for this possibility, you should measure all of your windows and doors
so that you can purchase the appropriate amount of plastic sheeting and duct
tape to cover over all of them. At the same time, purchase filter masks for your family.
In light
of the recent rash of tornadoes in the South and Midwest, the topic of safe
rooms has frequently come up. These are optimal for people who wish to have
further protection from the elements or any potential disasters. Safecastle
offers safe room quotes and
construction for
those who are interested in this top of the line option for your safety.
No
matter what the emergency or disaster may be, you will be better prepared if
you gather the items on this list. Do it for your family.
Author Bio:
Stephen Whitmore is a
freelance blogger for InsuranceTown.com. His writing often covers the ins and outs of
insurance issues related to weather incidents.
