subject: Preparing For A Volcano [print this page] As an American, it can be easy to believe that if a natural or man-made disaster occurs, emergency officials will be there to offer you the assistance you need. However, during an emergency, it is likely that thousands of people will need help of some sort.
The emergency teams are going to be spread thin and they are not going to be able to help everyone that needs help. This means that you are going to need to prepare yourself and your family to survive should a disaster occur.
You will never regret preparing against the worst. One of the many natural disasters that could affect you and your family is the eruption of a volcano.
There are still some active volcanoes in the United States. These volcanoes are generally located in Hawaii, Alaska, and the Pacific Northwest.
A volcano erupts when the pressure in the volcano builds and forces the molten rock out of the surface. As the pressure builds, scientists will begin to report an increase in lava flows, release of poisonous gases, flying rock and ash.
These things will continue to increase and reach a maximum at the point of eruption. The force behind the ash and flying rock can send these things flying for hundreds of miles.
Today the volcanoes are carefully monitored by scientists and officials. They will give advanced warning of an eruption.
Make sure that you heed their advice regarding the eruption of the volcano. It is likely at some point as the eruption draws near, city officials will have the town evacuate.
If an evacuation is ordered, you will need to be prepared to act quickly. You will want to be able to grab your emergency kits, jump in the car with your family, and take off.
Your emergency kits should include food, water, clothing, medical supplies, and other family member specific necessities. MREs, or Meals Ready to Eat, are a great component of the emergency kit.
MREs are very compact and fairly light. They can provide the family with an array of the vitamins and nutrition they need and the meals taste excellent.
These meals often do not even have to be heated on a stove or in a microwave. In addition they are very easy to pack and carry.
Another component of the emergency kit that you will want to add in case the volcano erupts is a pair of goggles and something the cover your nose and mouth with. There should be an emergency kit for each family member, which means one pair of goggles and one filter for each family member.
The ash can become quite thick in the area surrounding the eruption. This can make it very difficult to breathe and the filters could save your lives.
If for some reason you cannot evacuate, you will want to stay inside. The falling burning ash outside can be very dangerous to breath.
Make sure the doors and windows are closed until all of the ash settles. The ventilation system should also be turned off.
It is likely that it will take at least several hours if not days for the ash to settle. Try to stay informed as you wait it out.
Turn on a radio, surf the internet, or watch TV to listen to updates from officials. Advice may not come immediately, but it will come.
Keep listening until you are told it is safe. You should listen for updates if you are able to evacuate as well so you can know when it is safe to return to your home.
In addition to putting together an emergency kit, you will want to create an emergency plan with your family. Plan what you will do if you must evacuate before you meet up with every member of the family.
For example, Dad will leave work and pick up Johnny from school, where upon they will leave town for Georgesville. Mom will pick up Jenny and Lizzie and leave town headed for Georgesville as well.
If they both arrive as Georgesville and cannot get into contact with one another, they will contact extended family member Aunt Jean who lives out of state. In emergency situations it is often easier to contact people out of state that across town.
By talking to Aunt Jean, Mom and Dad will be able to find each other. From there, they can continue to make other plans.
This plan could save your family's life. You will never regret becoming prepared.
