A glance at a
recent events report on a world news website will prove the importance of
preparing for a natural disaster: hurricanes flood Louisiana, wild fires rampage
California, tsunami warnings are given in the Philippines, and Costa Rica is
rocked with a 7.6 earthquake--and this all occurred in the past week. Most
Americans over the age of ten recognize the devastating impact that natural
disasters can wreck on human beings; however, even those who recall the
destruction caused by 2005's hurricane Katrina or 2011's tsunami in Japan can
still be caught unaware when nature strikes.
In-line with
next month's Great California Shakeout, which takes place on October 18th at
10: 18 a.m., here are a few tips for emergency preparation. While not all the
effects of natural disasters can be avoided or prepared for, some precautions
can be taken to minimize the devastation of these events.
*Heed warnings.
Although some natural disasters, such as earthquakes, strike suddenly, many can
be anticipated. Flood, tornado, tsunami, and hurricane warnings are often
delivered by websites or local television news stations, thus it is useful to
regularly check these mediums when weather starts to get a little fickle.
Additionally, with the rise of technology, extreme weather warnings are now
often delivered directly to your cell phone, making it easier to stay
up-to-date on what Mother Nature has planned. In any case, if you are notified
of extreme weather in your area, take precautions and follow all instructions
about evacuations and avoid dangerous areas and activities.
*Keep a basic
survival kit on hand. Because most adults spend their days in a variety of
locations, shuffling between working, driving, and home-life, it is wise to
have a few survival kits: one for the car, one for the desk, and one for the
home. FEMA suggests that a kit should include first aid items--such as
medications, pain relievers, bandages, antiseptic wipes, and ointments--a flash
light, extra batteries, matches, a whistle, a mask, tape, local maps, garbage
bags, moist towelettes, a manual can opener, a cell phone charger, and a
battery powered or hand cranked radio.
*Store a
surplus of non-perishable food and water in a secure and easily accessible
place in your home, workplace, and car. FEMA suggests that each individual
keeps a three day supply of food and water (three gallons of water) in each
location in case of an emergency. Because refrigeration may not be available,
these foods should be non-perishable, such as canned goods.
*Have an
evacuation plan. It is common that individuals get stuck in their homes or
workplace for an extended amount of time after a natural disaster due to a lack
of an evacuation plan. Each home, workplace, and region is different, thus
there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to evacuation plans. For information
on how to construct an emergency evacuation plan that meets your individual
needs, visit FEMA's website.
Among the many
devastating effects of a natural disaster, financial hardships often occur.
While the government provides assistance for the victims of natural disasters,
these victims are still among the most susceptible to filing bankruptcy. To
ensure your financial health post-disaster, check your insurance policies to
make sure that your home, car, and health are protected. Additionally, it is
important to plan ahead for unexpected costs by maintaining a regular savings
account. In cases where there are no other financial options, taking out a
short-term payday loan or cash advance may be an option.
ไม่มีความคิดเห็น:
แสดงความคิดเห็น