Surviving the Storms that Life Throws Our Way

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Surviving the Storms that Life Throws Our Way

Are you concerned about having your home and family ready for an emergency? If so, you are not alone. And having an emergency plan and pertinent supplies in place is a smart choice. Doing so can help you weather the storm, whether that means a tornado, flood, earthquake, or other natural disaster. Today, TrainingKnives.com shares some important tips and resources that can make all the difference.

What do I need to be prepared for?

It’s almost impossible to be fully prepared for all emergencies. However, the American Red Cross notes that a survival kit should include things like water, a first aid kit, and emergency contact information.

Shopping for a stretch

Knowing how you’ll have enough food to feed your family during an emergency is paramount for most parents. You should have two weeks worth of food and water in your refrigerator, pantry, and freezer. Family Freezer offers lots of good advice on how to stock up for 14 days, noting that you should buy extra household supplies and utilize as much freezer space as possible for meals for week two.

For potentially even scarier situations, such as an extended power outage, you’ll want to make sure to have an ample supply of non-perishable foods. Crackers, peanut butter, cereal, and canned meats will all last for months to years, so you can store them in your garage or the back of a closet to pull out if they are absolutely necessary.

In addition to food, your emergency supply stock should also include things like extra clothing, warm blankets, a hand-cranked radio, and a light source. For the latter of these, make sure to have a combination of hand-held flashlights and dependable and wearable headlamps. For both, shop around and do your research to ensure you’re selecting ones that are bright light and long-lasting so they don’t falter in the overnight hours when you need them most.

Something else to consider is having plenty of firewood stored so that you can cook or heat your home during a power outage or survival situation. Firewood should be stored away from the home and on a concrete slab or tarp. Do not cover firewood logs or kindling, because this can trap moisture, rendering it unusable.

Do I need a panic room?

Something on many people’s minds is whether or not they need a panic room. This is essentially a safe space, either underground or built within a reinforced closet in your home’s interior. The choice to have one of these installed is completely personal, but know that they can get expensive, so this is not an option for everyone. If you can’t afford a dedicated safe room, make a point to designate a place in your home for your family to meet in case of an emergency. The basement, for example, makes sense in the event of a strong storm, or exit via a door or window close to ground level if you experience a fire. Keep in mind that if you do add a panic room to your home, it’s important to keep track of everything involved, as it can actually help you improve the value of your home should you decide to sell it.

Keep receipts and documents secure and organized

Staying organized and having your receipts and documents in order is essential, especially in the event of a storm. Having all critical paperwork stored safely can help you access important information quickly so that you can apply for state or federal aid faster. One way to organize your documents is by scanning them onto an external hard drive or storing them digitally in a secure cloud-based system.

There are also online tools that can help with merging multiple PDF files easily, further improving your organization and reducing clutter. This may work to help you keep digital copies of all your paperwork together in one file for quick reference. PDFs are also a good idea for storing sensitive materials because they can be password protected.

You should also consider keeping paper copies in water-resistant containers such as filing cabinets or fireproof boxes, as well as ensuring that key contacts have all the necessary information they might need. With these measures in place, you'll be better prepared if disaster strikes.

Schedule repairs

If your home sustained damage in a severe storm, it’s best to begin repairs as soon as possible. Know that you may be able to get assistance from FEMA or your insurance company to help cover the cost of repairs. When hiring contractors, watch out for scams. Read reviews online before hiring anyone. For example, if you’re looking for a residential window repair company, sites like Thumbtack is a great place to start. Before hiring window repair services, make sure you’re working with a licensed and insured company. Finally, if needed, seek out long-term shelter. If your home repairs will take a lot of time, you and your family will need a safe place to stay while you wait.

Having a safety plan in place is a great way to prepare your family for the unexpected. And, perhaps most importantly, knowing that your immediate needs will be met in case of an emergency is a wonderful way to alleviate stress.

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