The recent devastation in the wake of Hurricane Irene reminds us across the nation and the globe how vital it is to be prepared for natural disasters. But most people don't even know where to begin when it comes to emergency preparedness. That's where I come in. Let me give you a few tips to help you and your family get started.
First of all, you will want to be aware of the types of crises that are most likely to affect your area. Virtually every region has at least one or two regular natural disasters that will strike and the potential for even more.
I live in northern Utah, which has been known to experience blizzards in winter and flooding in spring or early summer, but we have also been warned of the possibility of major earthquakes, as we live along the Wasatch fault line.
Proper preparation for each of these can be a little bit different, but in virtually every case--and many others, such as tornadoes and tropical storms--you may need to evacuate, which can be panic-inducing if you don't have materials assembled.
Seventy-two hour kits include vital survival supplies to last you three days, including changes of clothing, food, toilet paper, matches, and more, all packed away in a backpack which you can grab in a split second. You should have enough of these to provide for every member of your family.
Not sure where to find the items you need? You would be surprised how many stores and websites sell wholesale survival supplies, so keep your eyes open for opportunities to buy materials you need to keep your family provided for.
Regardless of the emergencies your area may face, you should always have plenty of clean drinking water on hand. Fortunately, you can purchase it from your local grocery store by the gallon for pennies.
This can come in handy in many situations, not just those entailing erratic weather. For example, when I lived in Phoenix, there was an incident involving contamination in a utility plant, resulting in complete water shutdown for the entire city.
Because my family had plenty of drinking water on hand, we were able to continue our regular routine (for the most part) instead of entangling ourselves in the out-the-door lines to obtain fresh water at local grocery stores.
Now that I live in an area where I could be snowed in, I keep canned food and freeze-dried meals on hand. A local tactical military surplus shop will have plenty of compact meals available for easy storage. You may also want to store a few of them in your car in the event of a breakdown.
It is always wise to have the forethought and preparation to keep your family protected during potentially dangerous times. So start getting your survival tools together starting today.