subject: Surviving A Natural Disaster [print this page] Once a disaster strikes preparation is over and survival has begun. Hopefully, you have prepared ahead of time.
While many disasters may strike at a moment's notice, there are several you may have a little time to prepare for. However, you do not want to spend your precious time to prepare for the coming disaster by running to the store to get food.
Thousands of others probably have not prepared properly and they are going to run to the store to stock up. You do not want to be a part of this crowd.
Most likely, it will be worse than shopping on the day after Thanksgiving. People have been seriously injured while shopping on this day.
Instead, you will want to spend time making sure your family is gathered or in safe locations. You will want to have already gathered enough food, water, medical supplies and so forth to comfortably survive the disaster.
Keep in mind that emergency services will most likely be overbooked after the disaster. You will not be able to depend on them for the help you need.
As a result, you will want to have plenty of medical supplies on hand and a basic medical knowledge. Perhaps, this small amount of preparation will save lives in the near future.
Likewise, you will want to have a hand gun or some other means of personal protection. Without the protection of law enforcement you may be on your own when a robber appears.
Many normal people, who would not normally turn to robbing, may turn to robbing if it is their only means of food. You need to make sure your family is properly protected.
You should also make sure that your food storage is full of properly packaged and non-perishable food. It is best if you pack a 72 hour kit for each member of your family.
This kit should include enough food, water, clothing, medical supplies, and other personal necessities for several days. Keep in mind that if you are packing a kit for a child, they will need to be able to carry it.
In general, the rule for how much water you should store is one gallon per person per day. Do not forget about your pets as you are making preparation plans.
They need to be provided for as well. It is not fair to desert them possibly when they need you the most.
You should also purchase a basic cell phone for each family member's kit. Each cell phone should have the numbers of the other emergency phones in the other kits, the numbers of the normal phones of other family members, and the numbers of several extended family members.
This way is someone gets separated from the group he or she will be able to get in contact with their family again and find them. Sometimes it is more difficult to make calls across town rather than out to another state or country because so many people will be trying to use the working phones.
This is why it is important to include at least one extended family member's phone number in the phone. Hopefully, this person lives in another state.
That way you and your lost family member will be able to make contact through this extended family member. These kits should be in a very easily accessed place and everyone in your family should know where they are.
You should also discuss with your family what your emergency plans are. Be sure to select a meeting place near your home, on the outskirts of town, in a neighboring town and in another state.
You may not be able to meet up with all of your family members before you leave town. As a result it is important that have a plan to follow on where you will meet them outside the disaster area.
Make sure that your car is always at least half full with gas. Otherwise you will be fighting the crowd to get gas before you leave town.
You may not even be able to get gas. It is also a very good idea to keep cash on hand.
Banks services may not be available for a few days after a disaster. Without cash, you may not be able to get vital items.
You do not want to be stuck in this uncomfortable situation. Another item that should be found in your emergency supplies is a wind up or battery run radio.
If your radio has batteries, makes sure you store extra batteries as well. This device will keep you connected with the world and you will be able to know what is going on.
