Murphy’s law states that anything that can go wrong will go wrong. That simple line is all that you need to keep in mind when it comes to natural disasters. We can never predict when a natural disaster happens and we can’t stop them when they do. But, we can always be prepared.
Here are 5 important tips that we have compiled in being prepared and keeping your family safe!
When trying to prepare for a disaster, the following will be your ally :
- Know where you are. Keeping your family safe starts the moment you move into your place. A quick search on the geographical features as well as weather patterns will give you a rough idea of what to expect.
- A safe family is a prepared family. Make it your goal to teach every single member what he/she should do. Make sure they know what is expected of them when disaster strikes.
- Always have a go-bag ready that contains all the needed essentials needed in an emergency. Only essentials as this bag are expected to be easy and accessible to take when leaving.
- Keeping your family safe is also about knowing your limitations. Understand that you cannot do it all. Focus on your strengths and mitigate your weaknesses.
- Disaster preparedness starts with a healthy body. You should be fit enough to move and act fast to keep your family and yourself out of harm’s way.
What we wrote above is simple and easy to remember but there are many nuances to it. We will elaborate further on what we wrote to help you better internalize these tips. We want you to make it second nature and most importantly help you be better prepared to keep your family safe.
Disaster Preparedness Tips in Keeping your Family Safe
In an ideal world, disasters just don’t happen. However, Earth is a living and breathing world. Tectonic plates move, seasons come and go, and climate changes.
A little bit of preparation is the difference between life and death. Although the authorities do plan for emergencies, it is always best to be proactive. You want to be fully capable of getting not only yourself but also your family to safety.
Location, location, location
Before even trying to prepare for a natural disaster, you should always make sure that you are making the right preparations. To start, get to know your local area or even open any Map software (FEMA Flood Maps is one example) and see where you are located.
Are you by the coast? Is your area near a river? Is your town in a valley? If none of those apply to where you are, then check to see if your location is on a fault line or if you live by a wooded area.
Check with the local government unit to see if forest fires are an issue.
Preparing for a disaster will be different and unique based on where you are, get to know your area and prepare.
Stronger together
Keeping your family safe during a disaster is easier when every member knows what to do. Before making a plan, get to know the strengths and capabilities of each family member. This allows you to set realistic expectations and contingencies during an emergency.
Keep in mind that your family is unique and so your plan and the plan you teach each member is fit only for yours. Make it a habit of updating your emergency plans now and then as your family changes over the years. People age and grow, and with that in mind preparing together as a family should be fluid and dynamic over the years.
Preparation staple: Go bag or bug out bag
Every single article, from the government to amateur blog post will tell you to have a Go-Bag. A Go-Bag is a bag that is packed with survival essentials in a survival situation. Your Go-Bag should be based on the type of disaster you may end up facing.
People often forget to mention that your bag should be small enough that you can carry an adult and still walk without too much difficulty.
Keep in mind that not any backpack will do, it must be the right size. Make sure its waterproof as well as being comfortable to carry and move around in. Always keep in mind that the disaster scenario you face can never be predicted. It’s always best to prepare for the worst (such as carrying an injured adult/child with your go-bag on)
Recommended: What’s the difference between prepper and survivalist?
Your limitations are your ally, not the enemy
No plan survives contact with the enemy, and the same can be said for any disaster preparation plan. No matter how good your plan for a scenario is, know when to call it quits and evacuate or move to a different area. The secret to preparing for an upcoming disaster is to not be in a disaster situation in the first place.
This also extends to your skills and resources. Do you need to organize the evacuation plan when your neighbor is better and more experienced? Understand that these are not weaknesses but strengths. Together, everyone is safer when they work towards a common goal.
Survival of the fittest
The last disaster preparation tip that we want to impart on you is a no brainer. You need to maintain your health. You’re not expected to be NBA athlete level of fitness. At the very least you should be able to lift your weight and be mobile enough to move fast and for an extended period of time.
The basis of every disaster preparation plan is to DO the right things to keep your family safe. Keeping your family safe starts with you, stay active and healthy. You want to be the person that keeps them safe, not someone who is a liability.
Why is disaster preparation important?
Natural disasters are not fun events that we want to experience. No one wants them to happen but we do not get to decide such things. Understand that the stakes are high not only because your life is at risk when caught unprepared but also your family’s.
Prepare for the future
At the end of the day, any preparation you make is to your benefit when it comes to planning for a natural disaster. Always remember that it’s a team effort that you, your family, and even community will work towards. Stay healthy, learn what you can, and most importantly remember that we prepare not for ourselves, but for the people who matter most.