There are a host of natural disasters that could threaten you, your home, and your family. From hurricanes and tornadoes to flooding and earthquakes, it never hurts to be prepared. This blog is your natural disaster preparation guide to ensure you and your family are prepared for the worst.
What is National Preparedness Month?
Sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Preparedness Month is a good reminder that natural and man-made disasters can strike at any time. According to the National Safety Council, there were 69,473 weather-related events resulting in 813 deaths and 1,718 injuries in 2022. Preparing for natural disasters can ensure you and your family stay safe during these types of events.
4 Steps to Prepare for Natural Disasters
Prepare an Emergency Kit
You never know when you’ll need to evacuate your home during an emergency. That’s why you should always have an emergency kit ready. This kit could be in your car, home, or both. It should be checked every six months and expired items should be replaced regularly. Here are a few items you should consider having in your emergency kit:
- First aid kit
- Nonperishable, high-energy foods
- Drinking water
- Blankets
- Flashlight with batteries
Have an Escape Plan in Place
According to the National Safety Council, you may have as little as one or two minutes to escape if you’re inside a burning home.** That’s why it’s important to have an escape route already in place. Practice your escape route regularly with your family, so you know what to do in the event of a house fire.
If you can’t escape, the National Safety Council says to close all doors between you and the fire. Then, seal all doors and cover the air vents with duct tape or towels to keep out the smoke. Open the windows and call the fire department to share your exact location.**
Know Important Numbers
During natural disasters, it is important to have close contact with family members, especially elderly people who may be living alone and need to be checked on. Make sure you have important phone numbers written down and stored in a safe location. Or memorize important phone numbers so you don’t risk losing them or not having access to them during the natural disaster.
Store Important Information in a Safe
It’s important to have important documents such as your birth certificate, social security card, insurance policy, and more in a fireproof safe or safety deposit box. Make sure you are storing them carefully, so they are not destroyed in a natural disaster or fire.
Your safety is CPI Security’s top priority. During a natural disaster, our 24/7 central station monitoring center will be with you every step of the way. Have any questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at cpisecurity.com.
Sources:
**National Safety Council, “Planning an Escape”
