Disasters can happen in any area, whether a tornado, hurricane, earthquake, flood, avalanche, or fire. Some of these disasters allow time for you to prepare, and others strike with no warning. Would you be prepared if catastrophe struck today? It’s a good idea to have these essentials to own for natural disaster preparedness.
Water, Water, Water
Creating a large water stock is crucial when it comes to being prepared. You can purchase water bottles or gallon jugs of water, but a rule of thumb is to have enough for a gallon per person per day with enough for a three-day supply. Even if you think you have enough, stock up on more if you’re able. Then, you’ll be able to share with other members of the community who didn’t prepare.
Tip
Along with your home, it’s a great idea to keep water in your vehicle at all times as well.
Non-Perishable Food Items
Creating a stock of food items is as important as water. A few good food products to store are:
- Canned meats, fruits, and vegetables
- Canned juices, milk, and soup
- High protein and energy foods such as peanut butter, crackers, trail mix, protein bars, granola bars
- Stress relieving and comfort foods like candy, cookies, lollipops, coffee or tea, sweet cereal
Have a manual can opener stored away as well so you can open the canned goods.
Clothing and Bedding
If a natural disaster displaces you from your home, you’ll need a place to sleep and extra clothing. Prepare yourself and your vehicle with articles of clothing, sleeping bags, extra blankets, and extra pillows.
If you live in an area where it gets cold, be sure to have extra warm weather gear such as gloves, scarfs, and hats.
Other clothing you may not have thought of is:
- Sturdy shoes
- Rain boots and rain gear
If you have to walk through a flood, your favorite sneakers won’t protect your feet like a good pair of rain boots.
Supplies and Tools
As you’re packing up tools and supplies to have on hand, remember that all items should not need the use of power to work. In most cases, after a natural disaster, homes don’t have electricity—unless you’ve installed a backup generator, which provides so many tremendous advantages. Some great supplies to have packed include:
- Matches
- Pliers
- Flashlights or other light sources
- Extra batteries
- Feminine hygiene products
- Toilet paper, paper towels, soap
- Plastic bucket with a tight lid
First Aid
You always want to be prepared for the worst when it comes to disaster preparedness. Having a first aid kit is a great start, but here are some other things to add to the kit:
- Gauze pads
- Hypoallergenic adhesive tape
- Sterile bandages
- Antiseptic
- Thermometer
- Roller bandages
- Tweezers, scissors, safety pins, needle
- Latex gloves
- Petroleum jelly
- Sunscreen
Odds and Ends
It’s a good idea to have a few things stored away that bring comfort and are fun, especially if you have children. You want items to take the mind off of what’s happening around you, even for a little bit. Grab a couple of card games for the family to enjoy.
Grab a couple of plastic bins to keep everything stored away. Then, when the disaster strikes, all you have to do is grab the containers with the essentials for natural disaster preparedness and leave.
