Emergency and Disaster Planning for Your Home
http://www.careerfeed.net/articles/12556/1/Emergency-and-Disaster-Planning-for-Your-Home/Page1.html
Phil Swindle
My name is Phil Swindle. I own and operate several successful businesses including InfoPro Concepts, inc. and http://OfficeAnything.com Please feel free to visit our site at http://www.officeanything.com or contact me directly to talk. I truly hope you enjoyed the article. By Phil Swindle
Published on 05/18/2010
Natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornados, flood surges, etc., are simply unpredictable. Most of us know someone who has been directly affected by a natural disaster of some kind. The destruction can be unimaginable. Storms particularly can wreak havoc of all kinds.
Natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornados, flood surges, etc., are simply unpredictable. Most of us know someone who has been directly affected by a natural disaster of some kind. The destruction can be unimaginable. Storms particularly can wreak havoc of all kinds.
Recent flooding in Nashville, Tennessee caused incalculable damage to residents and business owners in the country music capital of the world. Many professional musicians live and commute through Nashville as a hub and consequently many store their personal instruments, collectible guitars, PA systems, etc., in storage facilities in and around the Nashville area. As flood waters continued to rise, many musicians simply didn't have the time or resources to move their valuable collections to higher ground and they were lost or permanently damaged.
Losing precious collectibles and keepsakes can be heart rending, but its nothing compared to the loss of life.
If you're anything like me, you're probably eternally optimistic thinking nothing disastrous could ever directly affect me in my own home, because my home is a safe haven. This type of thinking is truly irrational, especially in light of the major weather events we've experienced over the past 10 years. A false sense of security is indeed false, much akin to a teenager's feelings of invincibility. Who could've predicted the carnage of a disaster like hurricane Katrina? Hindsight is always twenty twenty. Many more lives could've been saved if authorities and the general public had been better prepared.
The purpose of this article is to site precautionary measures that can be engaged to increase the possibility of surviving a natural disaster or at the least making the experience less life threatening. Remember no one knows exactly when disaster could strike, so preparing in advance is key.
FIRST AID KIT: Keep a first aid kit stocked and readily accessible. First aid kits are always useful for treating wounds.
WATER: Store as much clean drinking water as possible. In general terms, keep at least one gallon of water per day per person for a minimum of 3 to 7 days duration. It's also a good idea to keep purification tablets and water filters handy as they may be needed also.
FOODS: Keep a generous supply of canned goods and food that is not easily perishable. You'll need enough to feed you, your family, and your pets for a minimum of 3 days to one week. Examples of proper foods for this type of storage are powered juices, boxed vegetables, energy and protein bars, freeze dried foods, and of course canned foods such as soups, vegetables, spam, etc.
PORTABLE STOVE: Own a portable stove of cooking device. It's great to have the ability to cook food in the event of a power outage using a Coleman stove or alternate propane powered unit. Keeping a charcoal grill with adequate charcoal also makes for good back up. This is particularly important if propane expires or is not readily available and electrical power is still out. If possible, store an additional full propane tank.
CLOTHING: Keep a supply of clean clothes for all family members stored in a dry location as well as enough sleeping bags for everyone in your family.
DRY WOOD: For homeowners, who have fireplaces; keep an ample supply of dry wood which can be burned for heat or for cooking or boiling water if necessary.
LIGHTS: Keep flashlights with fresh batteries stored in a convenient location. You may want to consider purchasing a flashlight and or radio that is powered by solar or hand crank device. If your batteries expire you still covered.
PRESCRIPTIONS: Make sure whenever possible to store adequate prescription medicines for each family member for up to 7 days. Call your pharmacist in advance to fill prescriptions in advance and make sure to keep an adequate supply of non-prescriptions medications as well. Ideas for non prescription medications would be anti-diarrhea medication, anti acids, cold medications, anti-allergens such as Benadryl.
KEEP CASH ON HAND: Credit cards are wonderful except in the event of emergencies. Try to keep a ready supply of cash accessible in case of ATM
failure or if power is unavailable at your bank.
KEEP YOUR GAS TANK FULL: It's best to keep the gas tank of your care at least half full to avoid long lines at the gas station during or just prior to emergency situations.
BOOKS AND GAMES: You may want to keep playing cards, board games, books, etc., available for entertainment purposes during an emergency event or power outage.
GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS: It's best to know your neighbors prior to an emergency as you may need their help or they may need yours during an emergency or during basic incidences where power is interrupted.
In the final analysis, preparation is always the best preventative and provides the greatest degree of protection against any unexpected circumstance that an emergency might bring.
Recent flooding in Nashville, Tennessee caused incalculable damage to residents and business owners in the country music capital of the world. Many professional musicians live and commute through Nashville as a hub and consequently many store their personal instruments, collectible guitars, PA systems, etc., in storage facilities in and around the Nashville area. As flood waters continued to rise, many musicians simply didn't have the time or resources to move their valuable collections to higher ground and they were lost or permanently damaged.
Losing precious collectibles and keepsakes can be heart rending, but its nothing compared to the loss of life.
If you're anything like me, you're probably eternally optimistic thinking nothing disastrous could ever directly affect me in my own home, because my home is a safe haven. This type of thinking is truly irrational, especially in light of the major weather events we've experienced over the past 10 years. A false sense of security is indeed false, much akin to a teenager's feelings of invincibility. Who could've predicted the carnage of a disaster like hurricane Katrina? Hindsight is always twenty twenty. Many more lives could've been saved if authorities and the general public had been better prepared.
The purpose of this article is to site precautionary measures that can be engaged to increase the possibility of surviving a natural disaster or at the least making the experience less life threatening. Remember no one knows exactly when disaster could strike, so preparing in advance is key.
FIRST AID KIT: Keep a first aid kit stocked and readily accessible. First aid kits are always useful for treating wounds.
WATER: Store as much clean drinking water as possible. In general terms, keep at least one gallon of water per day per person for a minimum of 3 to 7 days duration. It's also a good idea to keep purification tablets and water filters handy as they may be needed also.
FOODS: Keep a generous supply of canned goods and food that is not easily perishable. You'll need enough to feed you, your family, and your pets for a minimum of 3 days to one week. Examples of proper foods for this type of storage are powered juices, boxed vegetables, energy and protein bars, freeze dried foods, and of course canned foods such as soups, vegetables, spam, etc.
PORTABLE STOVE: Own a portable stove of cooking device. It's great to have the ability to cook food in the event of a power outage using a Coleman stove or alternate propane powered unit. Keeping a charcoal grill with adequate charcoal also makes for good back up. This is particularly important if propane expires or is not readily available and electrical power is still out. If possible, store an additional full propane tank.
CLOTHING: Keep a supply of clean clothes for all family members stored in a dry location as well as enough sleeping bags for everyone in your family.
DRY WOOD: For homeowners, who have fireplaces; keep an ample supply of dry wood which can be burned for heat or for cooking or boiling water if necessary.
LIGHTS: Keep flashlights with fresh batteries stored in a convenient location. You may want to consider purchasing a flashlight and or radio that is powered by solar or hand crank device. If your batteries expire you still covered.
PRESCRIPTIONS: Make sure whenever possible to store adequate prescription medicines for each family member for up to 7 days. Call your pharmacist in advance to fill prescriptions in advance and make sure to keep an adequate supply of non-prescriptions medications as well. Ideas for non prescription medications would be anti-diarrhea medication, anti acids, cold medications, anti-allergens such as Benadryl.
KEEP CASH ON HAND: Credit cards are wonderful except in the event of emergencies. Try to keep a ready supply of cash accessible in case of ATM
failure or if power is unavailable at your bank.
KEEP YOUR GAS TANK FULL: It's best to keep the gas tank of your care at least half full to avoid long lines at the gas station during or just prior to emergency situations.
BOOKS AND GAMES: You may want to keep playing cards, board games, books, etc., available for entertainment purposes during an emergency event or power outage.
GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS: It's best to know your neighbors prior to an emergency as you may need their help or they may need yours during an emergency or during basic incidences where power is interrupted.
In the final analysis, preparation is always the best preventative and provides the greatest degree of protection against any unexpected circumstance that an emergency might bring.