Sometimes, disaster strikes without warning. Therefore, you should always have both your family and your home prepared for when disaster strikes. And while this may seem like an obvious piece of advice, it is one that so many neglect to follow. In fact, according to FEMA, 60 percent of Americans do not do anything to practice for when disaster strikes.
This is unfortunate, as emergency preparedness is rather simple. So, what do you need to do to be better prepared for an emergency?Read on to learn the top 3 tips to make your home more emergency ready.
1. Pack an Emergency Go Bag
Many emergency situations call for you to leave your home in a hurry. If this is the case, you want to have a bag prepared so you can make a quick getaway yet still have necessary supplies. You’ll want to keep your emergency bag in a portable container, and make sure it’s placed in an easy-to-reach part of the house. And while every emergency bag will vary a bit according to personal needs, here are some essentials you should definitely include:
- Three days worth of food and water (Three days for each member of your family)
- First aid kit
- Spare batteries
- Whistle to blow for help
- Manual can opener
- Moist towelettes
- Cell phone with spare charger
- Regional map
Make sure you go through your emergency bag at least once a year as well, as you may find things you need to add or subtract. For example, maybe your child uses an Epi-Pen that you’ll need on hand
2. Have the Right Devices Installed
No matter what type of natural disasters you deal with, there are certain devices every home should have that will help during an emergency. First and foremost, your home should have a fire extinguisher on every level of the house. The best extinguishers are multi-purpose ones that can tackle flames from a variety of fires. You should also have a battery-powered smoke detector, supplied with a 10-year lithium battery so you don’t have to worry about changing it frequently.Also, make sure you’re home is equipped with a working carbon monoxide detector as well as a sump pump detector. Shut-off valves for both your water heater and your washing machine are also a great idea, as these will cut off the supply as soon as a leak is detected. If you would like to extend your safety devices to your commercial property, you should consider installing emergency lights. You can learn more about it here.
3. Have Everything Expertly Organized
The way your home is organized can make a huge difference in your emergency preparedness level. Here are some quick organizational tips to keep your home organized and ready:
- If preparing for an earthquake, make sure to have shoes and a flashlight by your nightstand
- Have a flashlight or emergency light next to your breaker panel
- Store combustible or flammable materials in safety containers and keep them a safe distance from the house
- Make sure your shelving is securely fastened
- Place heavy objects on lower shelves
- Make sure your tree branches are always trimmed
- Store household chemicals in a secured, bottom shelf cabinet
- Store breakable items in closed cabinets with latches
- Know the best and worst places to be in your house in case of emergency
With these three tips, you should be more than ready when an emergency occurs in your home!
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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