No matter what part of the US you live in, the past few weeks have us all sadly imagining life in the Carolina’s. We worry and wonder what our daily lives might be like with the threat of a powerful hurricane headed directly for our hometown.
Natural Disasters.
September is the peak of all hurricane activity in the US. With the unpredictability of Mother Nature, don’t assume a natural disaster won’t happen in your own community.
In the event of an emergency situation or any kind of natural disaster, the first step comes before there the emergency arises.
Emergencies.
Large scale disasters can cause significant disruptions to water services. An emergency water supply plan is key to survival. If your water comes from a private well, keep at least a 3 day supply per person, add more for pets as well.
The goal, of course, is to prepare for the worst, hope for the best, stay calm, and carry on.
Who Ya’ Gonna Call?
If your home is on a septic system, it’s imperative to know who to call after a flood. Have these local numbers on hand in your phone or a safe place in your home along with the Poison Control Center hotline number.
You may lose power. If you are lucky enough to have a generator, know ahead of time where you will run it. Make sure you have ample supply of gasoline if it’s not electric. Always keep them outside away from doors, windows and vents, NEVER inside the house! Generator exhaust, carbon monoxide (CO) is toxic and will sicken people and can even be deadly.
if you live in an area that is prone to water in your basement or yard, or live near large bodies of water, check your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy to see that you have ample flood insurance.
Grab and Go.
Everyone – including babies, pets and the elderly – experiences a fright during an emergency situation. Prepare for this by having needed supplies on hand. Start with making a list of everything you will need to have on hand “just in case” and then set up a Grab & Go Bag for each person. List necessary items such as medications, surplus food and water, blankets, towels, flashlights, and extra batteries. Also, choose an offsite meet-up location for emergencies (this could be a local school or church) and make sure each family member knows the meet-up plan.
Digital Preparedness.
Keep your e-files up-to-date. Update contact numbers for your doctors and insurance companies in your phone. File digital photos in online storage apps like Forever or iCloud. Keep copies of vital records – birth certificates, insurance policies, prescriptions and passports – in high security programs such as Docusign, ZokuVault and SafelyFiled.
Phone a Friend.
Finally, don’t be put off asking for help if you ever find yourself in a predicament! Once you and your family are on safe ground, it does the soul good to reach out and pay it forward..volunteer to help those less fortunate!
