Weather-related disasters are reportedly on the rise. According to the UN’s disaster monitoring system, the United States ranked with China and India for the greatest number of natural disasters across the world between 1995 and 2015, which includes earthquakes, hurricanes, storms, and heatwaves.

Climate change is almost certainly responsible, as the number of worldwide disasters has also quadrupled since the 1970s. It is, therefore, important to learn how to effectively prepare for a natural disaster.

Stock Up on Non-Perishable Food

A natural disaster could cause you to be stuck inside your property, so you will want to have plenty of food to hand to ensure both you and your family have enough to eat. For this reason, you should stock up on non-perishable food, which should be able to last you a minimum of three days. Remember, if there is a power outage, the food inside a refrigerator will quickly spoil, so fill your pantry with essential items so you’re not hungry during a snow or ice storm.

Receive a Wind Mitigation Inspection

A natural disaster can cause significant financial problems for a homeowner, as they may need to restore their property following a hurricane, earthquake, flood, or another weather-related disaster. It is, therefore, a wise idea to embark with a wind mitigation inspection, which can verify the construction technologies or methods to provide a property with greater protection from wind-borne hurricane damage. Visit FSG Inspections for more info on wind mitigation inspections.

Set Money Aside

Many people currently pay for items using their debit or credit card. Unfortunately, this might not be useful if there is an electronic systems outage. The only way you’ll be able to pay for essential goods or services will be with cash. You should, therefore, keep a few hundred dollars to one side, so you will have access to money in the event of a natural disaster. Store the cash in a safe place, and try to get smaller denominations, as a business might be unable to break a $100 bill.

Store Plenty of Water

Water is one essential both you and your family will need in the event of a natural disaster. While the average person will need one gallon of water per day, you must also stock up on water for cooking and bathing, too. So, store plenty of water in a cool, dry area for an emergency. You’ll be glad you did if you ever need it.

Complete Your First Aid Kit

Don’t make the big mistake of becoming complacent with your first aid kit. If you use an item, replace it, so you have a fully-stocked kit. An emergency kit could be the difference between life and death during a natural disaster, so continually replenish the items to protect both yours and your loved ones’ health.

Gain First Aid Training

In addition to investing in a fully-stocked first aid kit, you should also make time for first aid training. During a weather disaster, such as a hurricane or tornado, a first responder might be unable to immediately visit your home to provide medical treatment in an emergency, as they might be unable to reach you or could be spread too thin.

Both your family or neighbors will be pleased you learned the life-saving skills in the event of a healthcare emergency. Basic CPR and first aid could be enough to save another person’s life or to help them quickly recover from an accident or injury. The lessons are often available for an affordable fee, but the skills you will master will be priceless. So, take the time to embark on first aid training – and encourage your family to join you, too. You never know when you might need it.

Care for Your Car

Have you thought about what you will do if your car breaks down during a natural disaster? Your vehicle should be a priority during the emergency preparation process. For example, you should keep a first aid kit in your car for a weather disaster, so you will have access to basic medical supplies if it strikes when you’re in your vehicle. You should also pack blankets and extra clothing should you become stranded, as well as sand or kitty litter to free your vehicle from ice and snow. What’s more, you should also try to keep your gas tank half-full, so you will never be left stranded in your car during a gridlock.

Backup Your Memories

Many families are often devastated to lose their prized possessions in a flood, such as their family photos. It is, therefore, essential to backup your memories onto a cloud device or memory card that you can take with you. Transfer your much-loved images and videos into the cloud or external device so you will never lose your much-loved moments, which could be damaged in a flood, hurricane, or storm.

Invest in Portable Phone Chargers

An electrical outage following a natural disaster could result in you being unable to contact your loved ones or the emergency services. To ensure you never run out of battery, you should invest in portable phone chargers for you and your family, which you should each keep in your bag.

Buy Inflatable Life Jackets for a Flood

If you learn that massive flooding could be a possibility in your town or city, you should invest in inflatable life jackets for all the family, including your pets. The small, lightweight items could potentially save your life, and ensure you select bright colors so you can be easily spotted by rescuers.

Store Important Documents in a Freezer Bag

Have you thought about how you will protect your important documents during a natural disaster? Probably not. All you need to do is gather your important documents, such as your passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate or bonds, and place them in a zippered gallon freezer bag. Place the bag somewhere that will allow you to quickly grab it and pack into your bag in a flash, too.

Related Articles and Resources:

• Can Software Save The World From Environmental Disaster?
• Finding Pure Water After A Disaster – Water Purification Methods
• 3 Ways to Turn Any House into a Restorative Environment
• Impacts of Extreme Weather Events & Climate Change