How to keep Safe During a Natural Calamity

Nobody wants to think about the tragedies that can overtake a family in the aftermath of a natural disaster. But after listening to the distressing stories of victims of Hurricane Katrina, preparing for a natural calamity should be on everyone's mind. Even if you do not live in an area likely to have hurricanes, there are still many different natural disasters to prepare for, including floods, wildfires, tornados and earthquakes. Any one of these natural disasters can knock out electricity and water and leave you and your family stranded. Putting together an emergency strategy and provision kits really can mean the difference between an annoying situation and a tragedy. Preparing for a natural disaster is as simple as buying groceries at the grocery store. The key is to know what your family requires and for how long.

Begin Getting Ready for a Natural Disaster Promptly

The advantage to preparing for a natural disaster is that you can do it rather quickly and cheaply. First, select a cool, dry place to store supplies. Your first priority should be food and water. Obtain jugs of water from store, so you won't have to worry about bacteria or other cross contamination. You should have a three-day store of water for each person in your household. Healthy adults require at least one-half gallon of water a day. Children, nursing mothers and sick people will require more water. If the temperature is rising, you will also need to store more water per person. Provisions in your emergency supply kit should be canned or other non-perishables-nothing that requires cooking or have water combined with it. Good choices include breakfast bars, canned juice, peanut butter and jelly, trail mix and ready-to-eat meats, vegetables and fruits. And remember to pack the the can opener!

Together with food and water, you should also have a thorough first aid kit with plenty of bandages, antiseptic, tweezers, thermometer, soap, latex gloves and sunscreen. You should also put in sufficient pain reliever, antacid and an emetic substance (to stimulate vomiting). You also need at least one full change of clothing per person, outer wear, blankets or sleeping bags and sturdy boots or shoes. To help keep everything and everybody as hygienic as possible, include toilet paper, antiseptic, soap detergent, trash bags with twist ties and other personal hygiene items in your natural disaster emergency kit.

Remember to Take into Consideration Any Particular Needs of Family Members

Babies and anyone on prescription medication or with other medical needs entail extra emergency supplies. For infants, you should pack formula, diapers, bottles, pacifiers, diaper rash cream and any medication. Frequent medications many adults need include blood pressure medication, prescription drugs, insulin, denture needs, contact lenses or glasses and hearing aid batteries.

You should also always store a copy of essential documents in a safe place that you can access in case of a natural catastrophe. This includes wills, contracts, insurance policies, stocks, bonds, deeds, photo IDs, social security cards, bank account numbers and credit card information. Keep these items in a waterproof/fireproof container that you can pick up and carry easily. You may also want to insert some cash, if in the situation where you cannot access your ATM or bank in the wake of a natural disaster.