When a natural disaster hits and I see the news stories showing people who have barely escaped with their lives and were not able to save important things, I wonder if there was anything they could have done to prepare...in some cases when an event strikes with no warning it is understandable...but in some situations there are things you could do in advance to help prepare. I am not talking about extreme survival things-I am talking about common sense things most people should be able to do, or ask for help from friends or family to prepare, I hope some of these ideas prove useful/helpful.
Natural Disasters can happen anywhere! You are told to leave your home! You panic, save the kids, the parents, the pets, and that thing you never really think of... but really should...even if your legal papers and photos are in a bank deposit box-there is no guarantee the bank won't be taken away too-or that you can get what you need right away.
I am attempting to provide some practical tips for having really important papers in your pocket...when you have to flee from a natural disaster. As well as some other ideas.
Lets start with:
******VERY IMPORTANT COMMUNICATION NEWS *****
IF YOU LOSE CELL TOWERS
From Michelle Horsey
Download the app Zello NOW!. You can use it in the event of an emergency like a walkie talkie. Many people used it in Houston and were rescued because of it. Spread the word.
Things you can---DO NOW --- DO NOT WAIT
I am starting with some common sense ideas we should all just do! You do not need a disaster for this to be helpful.
Turn all your legal important papers into PDF copies. If you do not know how to do this/or do not have anyone that can help you, try a UPS, FedEx, MailBoxes etc., Office Depot, type store.
You can also purchase a rather inexpensive easy to use portable scanner- this is the one I use-it is a Brother DSmobile 620-you can find it on Amazon for under $100.
At minimum these are items you might want to convert to PDF and save.
... id cards
... medical cards
... marriage licenses, birth certificates,
... insurance cards & policies,
... Driver licenses
... copies of credit cards
... add anything else that is important to you
VIDEO YOUR HOME AND CONTENTS!!!
From Michelle Horsey
... take your phone or camera and do a video walk-through, of your entire property, documenting and noting any assets, just in case they aren't there when you return. It will make it much easier on you and your insurance company, when filing your claim, during such a stressful time....Then, EMAIL IT TO YOURSELF, or post it on You Tube in the event something happens to your phone.
I recommend you save everything to your computer in a folder dedicated to-Legal Papers & Photos.
I also recommend you copy the file to a flash drive. Drag & drop works best. Keep flash drive with items you would take with, in an emergency-the flash drive will fit in your pocket.
Finally (because I am a belt & suspenders type.) Attach all important files to an email and send it to yourself or you can just keep it in your email as a draft..
Can we talk about advance preparation?
* Make sure you have plenty of flash lights & batteries. (I know, I am stating the obvious)
* Keep several portable electronic chargers for cell phones, tablets so that you can stay connected-you can get them on Amazon-or most other stores. Something like this
Cell Phone charger
*Keep at least 10 gallon jugs of water available at all times-so you are not running to the stores at last minute and fighting for the last gallon. In addition a couple of cases of bottled water would not hurt.
* Try to collect backpacks for each member of your family-you can pick them up really cheap at yard sales & resale shops-attach a tag (like you would for luggage)to each one with names/phone#/address & any medical condition they may have-include copy in back pack, inside a zip lock bag.
* Extra soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes could actually be included in your "Emergency Supplies Container". (I would prepare a baggie for each back pack in advance, so each family member has their own)
* Make a list of anything really really important that you want to save--just remember, only take what you and your family can carry...with most important in back packs.
Store all this stuff in a couple of big plastic containers with lids--mark them EMERGENCY SUPPLIES--I would also put an Emergency First Aid Kit in the container.
This will help relieve some stress and make it a little less hectic when it becomes clear you have to EVACUATE.
IF YOU ARE WAITING OUT A BAD SITUATION YOU SHOULD STILL TAKE SOME PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES
From Michelle Horsey
*Fill your bathtub(s) with water. Not only do you need to stay hydrated you will need to flush the toilets.
From Michelle Horsey
* Advice from a FL mom who's been through many a hurricane: EMPTY YOUR DISHWASHER AND PUT ANYTHING YOU WANT TO PRESERVE IN THERE. It's waterproof and secured to cabinets so it's more likely to survive a storm." I would add-put all the items in large water proof zip lock bags. Again, (belt & suspenders) duct tape the bags so they do not pop open when being jostled around.
Get ice ice and more ice--it will help keep your food longer.
* Don't wait to go stock up--keep (if at all possible) a well stocked pantry of non-perishable foods. Make a list of what you need.
WHEN IT COMES TIME TO EVACUATE-PRIORITIZE
* Get your "Emergency Supplies Container" - start to fill the back packs
* Soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, some of the laundry pods, in zip lock bags-or better yet keep extra set for each member of family in "Emergency Supplies Container". (see above)
* Create a bag you can carry with a change of clothes/underwear takes up very little space so a weeks supply should work (3 or 4 days worth even a week if possible). This is where your prepared back packs will come in handy. You can carry more if you can get Space Saver Bags - put one in each back pack for the clothes.
FINALLY ... a little common sense preparation will do more than all the prayers in the world. "The Lord helps those who helps themselves".
As people give me more ideas or I see good ideas I will update this post.
