Emergency Preparedness: How to Survive In Case Of A Disaster

Disasters are things that are out of our control and it happens every so often. I lived and survived through several disasters in my life time, thanks to the good lord. I survived through Hurricane Hugo, 100 year flood, and snow storms. I was nine years old when Hurricane Hugo hit which was one of the highest category tornado in South Carolina.

Hugo claimed lives, destroyed homes and businesses and we were out of electricity for days. We relied on the help of others for resources and food. I remember my family and I waiting in long lines for hours to get gas and other essential items. One of my neighbors cook food on a hot plate to feed the entire neighborhood. I also remember the neighborhood store owner giving away cookies and candy to the children. Everyone in my neighborhood cane together and was helpful.

After surviving through disasters and now living in the Coronavirus pandemic I'm taking disaster preparedness more seriously. My family and I have started getting supplies to survive in case if we have to evacuate or stay in our homes without electricity.

You can start preparing by buying items a little at a time for your emergency kit. These are some essential items you need for a grab and go in case if you have to leave your home for safety.

1. Each member in your home need their own backpack with essential items.

2. Put items such as: body wash, bottle of water, saltine crackers, protein bars, beef jerky, wipes, towels, first aid kit, tylenol, prescription meds, toothpaste and toothbrush.

   This is something to travel quickly to get to your safety destination. It's best to keep the bookbag in a safe place or the trunk of your car to be ready to grab and go.

Things to have in a firebox or in your car in case of an emergency:

1. Copies of id cards, licenses, marriage and death certificates, wills, insurance cards, and title and deeds. Get these things elaminated to place in your locked glove compartment in the event you can’t get into your house.

2. Prepaid cards with money on it

3. 10.00 of quarters in case you have to use a pay phone if your cellphone does not have a signal

4. For women and babies have a bag with feminine products, diapers, wipes, assorted size safety pins, toothpaste, toothbrush and peices of cloth.

For your home:

1. Store 1 gallon of water per person in your household for washing, cooking and cleaning. Staying clean and taking care of your personal hygiene eliminates germs and diseases.

2. Sketch out a map of your home and talk about it with your children. They need to learn evacuation routes in case of a disaster.

3. Keep can goods and other non perishable items that can last up to six months.

4. Get lighter proof matches, flashlight with extra batteries

5. Emergency radio with flashlight

6. Over the counter medicines, alcohol, peroxide, diarrhea medicine, and order your prescriptions early just in case you csn’t get to the store or the store shut down.

   These were a few helpful tips on how to prepare for a disaster. Thanks for reading, please share this blog. Talk to you soon 😃