When it comes to emergency preparedness, you need to expect the unexpected. While you can never know for sure what the future holds, you want your family to be ready for these three common emergencies.
1. Bad Weather and Storms
Mother nature can be majestic, but she can also be unforgiving to the under-prepared. Grocery stores sell out of key survival goods in the days leading up to a big storm. Sudden disasters like tornadoes and landslides may not give you the time you need to stock up at all. It’s always best to have three key emergency supplies on hand: water, food, and first aid.
With that taken care of, follow the preparation steps recommended by the American Red Cross for different emergency situations in your area:
- Hurricanes: Keep an emergency kit on hand, and create an evacuation plan for your family members. Don’t forget to include pets.
- Landslides: Learn about local evacuation plans. Talk to everyone in your household about what you’ll do if a landslide happens.
- Tornadoes: Know where the safest place is in your home to gather, preferably a windowless interior space on the lowest floor.
- Winter storms: Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle in case you get caught in a storm while on the road. Avoid driving, stay indoors, and dress in layers of lightweight, loose-fitting clothing to stay warm.
2. Wildfires
The threat of wildfires has grown in recent years, especially in the western United States. In fact, the World Economic Forum reports that wildfire seasons are 40 to 80 days longer on average than they were 30 years ago.
As wildfires continue to grow more powerful, it’s important to be prepared for the worst. In this type of disaster, it is again important to have water, food, and a first aid kit available. But in case of fire, these items should be stored in your vehicle. To get ready for wildfires, take the following steps:
- Sign up for the emergency notification system that is used in your community.
- Always be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
- Keep an emergency kit in your car.
- Listen to local radio, TV, and news sources to stay up to date on the safest evacuation routes.
3. Power outages
Power grids fail for a number of reasons, including extreme heat, extreme cold, and high winds. A lack of electricity can cut off communications, affect city water supplies, and make transportation difficult or impossible.
As with any disaster, keep key survival items stocked and ready for use: water, at least a three-day food supply, and first aid supplies. However, in a power outage, it is also crucial to have additional survival gear available. For instance, a solar-powered generator can provide you with the electricity you need to ensure your family stays safe. And a solar-powered radio can keep you informed in a crisis.
Stay Prepared with 4Patriots
Whether you come across empty shelves at the grocery store due to an upcoming storm or a blackout hits your city, you want to know how to be prepared for any emergency. Make sure you have what you need for you and your family to survive. 4Patriots has you covered with everything from 72-hour survival food kits to solar-powered survival gear. Start building your emergency kit today.
