How To Prepare For A Natural Disaster

If you live in an area at high risk of a natural disaster, it can cause daily worry and fear. You may not choose to move because of finances, job, or family, which may add to uncertainty about the future. Taking steps to prepare for a natural disaster is crucial should you face it in the future. It will also give you peace of mind and enable you to live each day safe in the knowledge that should the inevitable happen you are fully prepared. Let’s consider two serious natural disasters:

Floods

Flooding affects many countries, especially coastal towns and areas that are prone to a long period of rainfall. There are ways to prepare for potential flooding: 

• Check the news 
• Use sandbags 
• Keep windows and doors closed 
• Turn off mains power 
• Emergency supplies 
• insurance

Keeping informed via news channels will help you identify when a flood is likely to occur. Meteorologists can predict the weather accurately and when there will be significant rainfall. 

Sandbags can be used to redirect water, should it threaten to enter your home. Keeping a stock nearby will ensure you have the resources to keep water out,  if only temporarily. They won’t tolerate prolonged exposure to rain but will help initially. 

Closing all access points to your house may not prevent water damage entirely, but will considerably minimize it. 

Turning off the electrical supply is very important for safety. If water manages to get into plugs and mains, electrocution is possible and very dangerous. 

Having an emergency bag packed and ready will give you peace of mind should something happen suddenly. We don’t always think relationally when faced with disaster so anticipating beforehand is wise. There are various options to choose from,  check out this website for ideas for essential gear to pack into a ‘bug out bag’ to act as a survival kit to use in a crisis. 

Checking in advance that you have adequate insurance is vital if you live in a high-risk area. If your home is flooded despite preparatory measures taken, you will want to protect your belongings and not have the added burden of replacing all your contents. There are various plans,  so check different providers to find the right one for you. 

Earthquakes

According to ec.europa.eu, in 2015, 400 million people lived near volcanos and at risk of the consequences of earthquakes. If you and your family live in a high-risk zone, you must educate yourself and have an emergency plan in place if and when an earthquake occurs:

• Supply kit 
• Earthquake safety plan 
• Drop, cover and hold 
• Secure your home 
• Specific insurance policies 

Preparing a kit with essential supplies should an earthquake strike will ensure you have what you need if you have to escape your home. As a guide, you should have enough food and water for three days per person in your household, along with any necessary items for pets. You should also include important medication, suitable clothing, lights, matches, a first aid kit, and money; this should help if you are temporarily displaced. 

An earthquake safety plan should be a written document with steps to take if an earthquake is imminent. You should include a meeting place, who will grab the supply kit, how to locate your pet, and who will be responsible for specific jobs such as turning off the electric supply, etc. 

Most people living in high-risk areas will be aware of the drop, cover, and hold protocol. If an earthquake strikes suddenly with little time to prepare, drop to your hands and knees and try to hold onto something sturdy. If you cannot drop to the floor, cover your head and neck with your hands to mitigate the effects of any falling debris. If you think it’s better to crawl to someone safer then attempt to do so slowly. 

One of the best ways to limit potential damage to your home caused by an earthquake is to make sure your home is secure in its structure and contents. Place large objects that are heavy lower down on shelves or the floor. Any breakable items, such as glass, should be secured in cupboards or cabinets with latches or locks. Pictures and mirrors should be secured to the wall. Identify ways to bolt large appliances such as fridges and freestanding items to the floor. It would be wise to ask a professional to check that the foundations of your home are strong and to help identify any issues that may need fixing. 

Check out some earthquake specific property insurance policies. For a little extra, some policies will cover you for replacing items lost in an earthquake to destroy your home. It;’s well worth the extra to protect your belongings. 

Rest assured that with the correct preparation and plan the threat of natural disasters need not rob you of the joy of life. No one knows what tomorrow will bring, so let’s live each day in happiness and deal with disasters if they come.