What is disaster preparedness?

It is impossible to predict when or where a disaster will strike, and it could happen at any time.

It is essential to be well-prepared and to have a strategy in place if you want to keep your house and your loved ones safe.

Disaster preparedness is the process of being ready to deal with whatever is thrown at you, whether that be a storm, war, fire, flood, earthquake, or any other type of unexpected event. 

Let’s take a look at some of the things that you can do to make sure that you are disaster prepared.

1. Be aware of the nature of the various disasters

Each emergency calls for slightly varying levels of preparedness, supplies, and expertise. Find out which natural catastrophes are most likely to strike your city, state, and region, and make preparations for them appropriately. You should also review your homeowner’s insurance coverage to ensure that you are covered. Although the majority of regular policies include coverage for natural disasters such as tornadoes, lightning, and winter storms, you will most likely need to purchase separate insurance in order to be covered for flooding, windstorms, and earthquakes.

2. Sign up for emergency alerts.

You can get alerts sent to your phone by your service provider or by downloading a free app from either FEMA or the Red Cross. Check to check if your firm or institution utilizes a service such as LiveSafe, and if they do, download the app for free if they do. Some employers use the program to broadcast emergency information to their teams.

3. Pack a grab bag

In the event that you are faced with the unavoidable necessity of leaving your house in a hurry, you will want to ensure that you have the necessities packed and ready to go. You should keep the items listed below in a portable container or grab bag and store it in the part of your home where you will take refuge or by the exit.

• Food and water – aim for three days worth
• Battery-powered torch and radio, and spare batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle
• Wrench or pliers
• Map

4. Develop a strategy

When things start to get out of hand, you want to make sure that every member of the family is aware of what needs to be done. We recommend selecting two areas for people to congregate in the event of an emergency, one of which should be relatively close by, and the other of which should be located a bit further away in your community.

In the event that the power goes out and you are unable to find a place to charge your cell phone, it is beneficial to have key contacts written down. Create a short contact list with crucial phone numbers that everyone can keep in their wallets and include on the list. You should also keep a duplicate of this in your emergency kit. Create a backup plan for getting in touch with loved ones if your regular means of communication are disrupted. Even when phone lines are congested, it is common for text messages to be sent successfully.

5. Safe return

The prospect of returning home after a significant catastrophe might be overwhelming. It is important that you take the necessary safety measures before allowing your family to enter the house again. https://ncricat.com/services/disaster-services-storm-damage/ may be needed to help you sort things out. 

Take photos of the damage. If you want to file a claim on your insurance policy, you will need a visual record of all the damage with clear images and detailed notes before you clean up. This may be difficult for you emotionally, but it is necessary if you want to do so.