Every household must prepare for unexpected events like weather emergencies, floods, or fires. This is because disaster strikes when you least expect it. Your best option will be to try to be well-prepared for such an event and hope for only minimal damage.
This can be hard, especially since it might mean that you will incur some costs as you try to contain the situation. You will need a lot of help in getting things back to normalcy. If the disaster is due to a storm, you might want to engage storm damage repair and restoration professionals.
How Can You Prepare For Disaster?
Luckily there are several ways in which you can prepare for a disaster or emergency. Many things need to be factored in, which can be overwhelming at times since you don’t know where to begin.
Regardless, you should be prepared for any emergency and have the members of your household educated on the same. You can delegate specific responsibilities to each person and have some practice drills so that you can all have an idea of what expectations are there for each one of you.
Ensure that you have an emergency bag that contains personal identification documents and medical supplies. This comes in handy when you have to travel and have a family member with an ailment. The responsibility of grabbing the bag should be assigned to one person and placed somewhere easily accessible.
Remember that the amount of time during a disaster is limited, and things have to be done fast to avoid casualties. It would be best if you have a backup plan in case the first one doesn’t work. It is a time when emotions will be running high, and the best thing you can do is try to be calm amid the chaos.
What Six Practical Things Can You Do After Disaster Strikes?
Because we live in uncertain times and anything can happen, you need to know what is expected of you after a disaster strikes. Here are practical things you can do;
Tip 1: Be Calm
Not many people can keep their cool when it comes to emergencies. It would help if you were calm so that you can see and act logically during the situation. You will be able to think more clearly when you keep a cool head. Call 9-1-1 for help right away.
Tip 2: Check Yourself
You will need to examine yourself first for any injuries and bleeding before extending help to others. This will help you in putting necessary measures to stop or control any bleeding that you might have. It will also help you to seek help early and avoid aggravating the injured area if it is there.
Tip 3: Perform a Family Headcount After Disaster Strikes
You will need to do a headcount to ensure that all your family members and pets are safe. If there are any missing family members, you will have to seek help from the emergency responders present at the site.
Tip 4: Attend To Injuries
You will need to attend to injured members of your family and those around you. Most people will be distressed emotionally, and they will need your help. Remember that you are in it together, and the best way to move forward is to help each other.
Tip 5: Check For Supplies
Reaffirm your emergency bag of supplies is available and the contents inside are intact. You can also check around the disaster site to see if you can salvage more supplies since you will need everything you can lay your hands on.
Tip 6: Assess The Damage
If your home is still standing, assess the damage and note the work repairs that the home will require. Remove any valuable items that cannot be secured in the home and have someone keep them for you or get a storage unit. Alert your insurance agent and send them photos of the house.
Sometimes you might have to look for an alternative means of accommodation due to the extent of the damage. This can prove not easy since most places will be full. Be flexible enough to accept whatever alternative comes your way since it will be for a short while as you try to get things together.
The Bottom Line: You Must Act Immediately to Secure Safety When Disaster Strikes
During and after a disaster, the best thing you can do is keep well and safe. Try and get enough rest so that you can maintain your strength. Drink enough water and eat what is available. This will ensure you don’t burn out and succumb to fatigue.
She has a B.S.Ed. in Secondary Education/English and a Spanish Minor. In addition, she holds a Certificate in Natural Health from a fully-accredited program and is a Certified Herbologist. She pursued these natural wellness certifications due to her love for herb gardening.
Despite freelancing to make a living, her love is "all things home."
Deborah grew up in a family that grew a large vegetable garden and a fruit orchard, helping her parents pull weeds and can home-grown foods as part of her childhood. In fact, she had no idea that she could purchase veggies and fruits in pre-packed steel cans until she went to college and made a food run.
Today, she lives in Bertie County, North Carolina, an agricultural rural area with more chickens than people. She lives with her husband and two rescue pets a sweet toy fox terrier and a cat who showed up one day and moved into the house. Together, they enjoy DIY projects, furniture refinishing, gardening, and canning.
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