Natural disasters may not seem like that much of a threat in our day-to-day lives, but they can arrive quickly with little warning and cause significant problems. They can disrupt supply chains, destroy property, and put you and your family at risk. The best way to live through a natural disaster is to be prepared before they ever arise. Luckily, we have everything you need to know about natural disaster preparedness in this blog post, and we break down six ways you can be prepared for natural disasters.
What Kind of Natural Disasters Are There?
There are several kinds of natural disasters, ranging from flooding and hurricanes to earthquakes and wildfires. And while it’s best to be prepared for anything, certain natural disasters are more common depending on where you live.
The natural disasters that you need to prepare for will depend on what area of the country you live in.
For example, North Carolina is more prone to hurricanes and flooding, while wildfires attack the west coast more frequently. Be sure to read up on what types of natural disasters are more common in your area and prepare for those. And for more information on hurricanes, check out our blog post on the topic.
Natural Disaster Preparation List
- Have A Natural Disaster Prep Kit Packed and Ready to Go
- Craft a Disaster Plan
- Prep Your House
- Have a Full Tank of Gas in Your Car – And Maybe a Little Extra Too
- Lean On Local Radio and TV
- Protect Your Important Documents
Have A Natural Disaster Prep Kit Packed and Ready to Go
A natural disaster prep kit is a critical part of your preparation. Your kit should include everything you need to survive for a few days without access to a grocery store or a pharmacy. At a minimum, this pack should include:
- Nonperishable food, like canned goods and protein bars
- At least 1 gallon of water per person per day
- First aid supplies
- Flashlights
- Heating tools
- Utility Equipment (knives, shovels, etc.)
- Rope
- Emergency Radio
- Toiletries & Medications
Craft a Disaster Plan
Take the time to craft and share a disaster plan with your family. The plan should include things like knowing where to meet in the case that cell phones and other communication devices aren’t working. It should also include tips for what to do in the event of each type of natural disaster and escape plans for your home and city.
Prepare Your House
There are many different ways to prepare your home for a natural disaster.
Hurricanes and Tornadoes: Reinforce windows with duct tape and wood boards.
Wildfires: Clean out your gutters and your roof so that the flames have less kindling available.
Earthquakes: Bolt down larger appliances and turn off any gas valves.
Floods: Place sandbags or similar objects around the outside of your house to help prevent flooding.
Have a Full Tank of Gas in Your Car – And Maybe a Little Extra Too
You never know when you’re going to need to leave town quickly in the event of a natural disaster. And the last thing you want in the middle of a natural disaster is to realize that your car is out of gas. Be sure that you fill up your tank at the first news of a natural disaster in your area. It’s also a good idea to keep an extra gas can or two in your garage for situations like this.
Tune Into Local TV and Radio
When a natural disaster occurs, the places where we usually get our information, like the internet or satellite TV, may not be available. So, it’s important to have a radio, preferably hand or solar-powered, available so that you can still receive information about what’s happening in your area.
Protect Your Important Documents
In the middle of a natural disaster, with everything moving quickly, it can be easy to forget about important documents—or worse, let them be destroyed by a flood. Keep your important documents in one place, such as a waterproof bag or container. This includes items like your passport, driver’s license, and all insurance documents. This will make it much easier to submit a claim to your insurance company after the disaster.
Bonus Tip: Keep Your Property Secure with A Home Security System
With everything you worry about during a natural disaster, the last thing you need is additional stress over the security of your house. A home security system (like one offered by CPI), can provide you with some much-needed peace of mind if you need to leave your home in the event of a disaster. Because CPI Security Systems use dual-path connectivity, you don’t need to worry about losing connection if there’s a power outage in your area.
Natural disasters can be frightening, but if you take the time to prepare for them, you can minimize the damage to your property and keep your family safe. By following the tips above, you can be sure that you’re as prepared as possible for whatever nature throws your way.
