Disasters can hit anywhere at any time. While the types of disaster will largely depend on the topography of an area, the fact remains that everywhere on earth is susceptible to unexpected forces wreaking some havoc.
As such, being prepared is one of the most important things that people can do. While inclement weather or seismic shift may surprise and devastate, you will have a definite edge if you have made the effort to be prepared well ahead of time.
One of the best things that you can do preparation wise is to have an emergency plan in place for your family. These plans are so vital because they teach everyone in a family where to go and what to do in case of emergency.
It is best to come up with an emergency plan with all members of your household present. This way, everyone can participate and contribute.
One of the most critical aspects of the family plan is teaching everyone how to react when it comes time for a disaster. If there is one hallmark of disaster situations that should be concerning, it is that people often are so taken aback that shock takes over and removes their ability to get to safety.
Safety should always be the foremost priority for your family members. Get input from your loved ones and then advise them on what they should do.
If a disaster occurs, it is best for people to meet at a mutually agreed upon place. For a lot of people, this will be their home since it serves as a base of operations.
Make sure to have a secondary place to go if the home is too dangerous to return to. These family emergency plans are also more effective if you make sure to include close friends or other family in the planning, so that people can know who to trust and who to lean on during these hard times.
Take this time to teach everyone in the home how to safely shut off the gas, water, and power. In an emergency, these utilities sometimes need to be manually shut off for the safety of everyone present.
Instruct everyone how to use tools to shut off these utilities. This time is also a good one to go over how the fuse box works, and how to do a rest if the power has been knocked out.
You also are going to want to come up with a workable evacuation plan, if it is necessary. Make sure that everyone present knows what to pack in a hurry and to always listen to the instructions of police officers and directions from government officials.
Pick out your local community center, police station, fire station, or workable public building that will serve as an emergency shelter, and show everyone why this will be a good shelter point. Doing all of these things will make for a safer experience for everyone involved, should there be a disaster which needs to be dealt with.
Along with a plan on how to evacuate, you should also establish a few contacts involved in restoration. For example, google, “Tuscon property restoration.” The best thing to do after an emergency where your home may have been damaged, is pick up the pieces and rebuild.