The recent flooding in the Midwest has the strength and devastation of natural disasters on everyone’s mind. The sad fact is that families seem to just be coming to understanding that natural disasters can happen to anyone, anywhere. Thankfully, more people are trying to educate themselves on what they can do to be prepared. No longer does natural disaster preparation refer to stocking up on bread and water. Recent disasters like the Midwest flooding and even the Katrina Hurricane disaster are forcing us to realize that families must be prepared to relocate or hunker down with vital belongings in a hurry if they want to keep their families and some of their belongings safe. This requires preparing for a disaster long-before it is devastating your home town.

FEMA and the Red Cross, along with several other disaster recovery organizations, are stressing the importance for every home to have a disaster preparation kit stocked and ready. Below are the key items each home should have in their prep kit in order to have what they need if the power goes out or roadways become blocked.

Every Day Needs
Every disaster preparation kit should include food, water, and clothing. Non-perishable items like jars of peanut butter or fruit, granola bars, crackers, and canned goods should be packed in a box along with a large store of bottled water. Each family member should also pack an emergency bag with a few days of extra clothing and keep in near the other kit materials. This way it can be easily picked up should a fast evacuation be called for.

Equipment
One of the most important things that you need in your kit is a LED flashlight, preferably the waterproof LED flashlights. Though LED flashlights can be a bit pricier than the typical grocery store flashlights, the technology of the LED waterproof flashlights make them much more useful because they are able to last several times longer than a standard flashlight and require fewer batteries over the long term. These lights also put out a much brighter light, making them good for signaling for help. Also pack replacement batteries for your LED flashlights and keep them close to the actual flashlights so they are easy to find in the dark.

A disaster kit should also include a good knife, preferably a Swiss army or utility knife. These are compact multi-purpose tools that can help cut ropes or other things that may hinder evacuation, open canned goods and remove screws in other equipment.

A battery operated AM / FM radio is important so your family can hear news regarding the disaster, weather predictions, and evacuation notices. Keep all of the equipment together in an easy to carry box or case in an easy to get to place.

Documentation
Important family documents are one of the things most often forgotten in a disaster preparation kit. You should collect and keep a zip lock bag with your family’s important documents, like birth certificates, passports, marriage license, insurance information, etc. sealed inside. Keep the bag in with your disaster materials or in with an adult’s clothing. These documents are vital if you want to get back on your feet once the disaster has passed.

The fact is that natural disasters can happen in a matter of minutes, and before you know it, a bad situation can turn disastrous in an instant. The best way to protect your family is to be prepared. The best way to be prepared is to have your natural disaster kits ready before the disaster strikes. It could be the difference in being able to get out of town and into a decent hotel, or a relatives home safely and scrambling to collect your things before water and winds trap your family. This has been an active season for natural disasters; don’t wait until it is too late.

~Ben Anton, 2008

It is true that human beings have grown accustomed to the technology lifestyle. Human beings live much more comfortably longer thanks to these advances. However, it may be more than what Mother Nature can bear.

Countries, globally, are seeing environmental disasters on a daily basis. This should be seen as a call for change for the consideration of the planet and its environment. Mother Nature can unleash a fury if should she feel she needs to especially if she reaches her “boiling” point. She can be munificent but deadly too.

Residential communities flattened by an earthquake or swept away by a strong typhoon or even falling away from soil erosion are all man made disasters. Why is this? From logging illegally to throwing factory waste in rivers to using items that are not biodegradable, Mother Nature has endured plenty from men. These acts have caused a shift in the climate.

Major disasters are looming for mankind – climate change evidence will bear this out. Men need to prepare for the onslaught and wrath of this change that is coming whether it should be now or in the future.

Is there such a thing called global warming or is it just a way environmentalists groups can get money for their cause? Looking at the weather anomalies such as stronger thunderstorms, persistent heat and lingering cold snaps, it does seem as if there is greenhouse effect and global warming is indeed a reality.

Despite what we know now compared with 20 or even 30 years ago, man cannot reverse the damage or global warming; it can only be delayed. It’s important for humans to know the climate change effects and how they can reduce the unconstructive outcome.

What kind of climate changes will be seen to know humans should be alarmed? Two climate changes that can be seen are fires in the forest and sea water levels rising. Leaders from around the globe will need to act quickly and put together a disaster plan to be sure lives are not lost and property damage is not totaled.

First, country leaders need to have a global information network campaign to relay data on the climate changes being seen. People will need to be aware of the effects on the environment and what can be expected both in stipulations of disasters and diseases.

The most important emergency kit out is believed to be knowledge. If everyone were to know what is going on with Mother Nature, then they can take steps to lessen her impact and make some environmental changes before she wreaks havoc.

Each country in the world should have some type of climate change emergency plan. Advanced countries will still have a hard time facing this kind of disaster. Third world countries would be completely devastated by climate effects. They have a hard time coming up with food for its inhabitants.

Each household worldwide should not rely upon the government in times of crisis regarding these climate change effects. It is quite likely that governmental bodies will weaken and be too crippled to be effective for its citizens. For this reason, persons need to prepare themselves and act now.

History shows that wars are inevitable. Already two world wars behind us, a third war is imminent. With the design of nuclear weapons in today’s society, world war three is sure to speedy when it begins. However, worse than a world war, is something that happens closer to home. Many countries deal with it on a daily basis. It is called civil war.

If though you may not see it, every county is on the verge of civil war. People in every community should be concerned, not just church and world leaders about this risk.

For some countries, civil war has been ongoing. Due to this, it is an every day reality that it no longer surprises them when conflict erupts. The war has driven many countrymen away with nowhere to go for themselves or their families including children.

Civil war is like any other war in that it is lethal for the country’s population. It is even more so for children since they cannot protect themselves from harm. With all the devastation, there are acts of abuse on both sides of the military and the civilians regarding people’s rights.

This kind of war can take the form of any number of things including family displacement, hunger, suffering and death. It is a catastrophe that many around the world know all too well. The numbers are staggering.

Families are do not want to be separated need to have an emergency plan set in place. They should know not to expect the government to help during a crisis such as this. No one wants to go to an evacuation shelter and lose their family and lose their life.

What Can Families Do?

Although many people don’t want to think a war could happen in their lifetime, it best to be prepared anyway. They can take self-defense and gun firing lessons that are included in many survival courses. Children should be made aware of the dangers guns pose but it is something that should be taught in case a civil war breaks out.

Prepare a first aid emergency kit. What should it hold? It will need medicines that are for common diseases. Special medicines will need to be placed in the kit as well if a family member has a chronic illness. Be sure to put band-aids and gauze in the kit too.

For those used to living through civil war territories, packing an extra kit with shoes, maps, a knife (Swiss knives are much better to use), food (canned goods for starters) and soap.

Make sure vital papers are placed together in case a civil war does begin. You may need the information if the family gets separated. It is entirely possible that families will be traveling for weeks to get away from the fighting outbreak.

It is always best to prepare for disaster while not living your life expecting it to happen. If you prepare for the possibility, the outcome for continued existence is higher than being caught off guard. For those who think it cannot happen, history tells us that peace is only a dream and even dreams are not peaceful. Prepare so you can continue to learn and live.

It is the same for many countries and islands throughout the world who have felt strong earthquakes. For many, they were caught off guard, which makes the only earthquake experience worse. What are some of the places that experience these quakes? Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, Guam and even Mexico.

Residents in the city of San Francisco know that the day is coming when their city will fall victim to a catastrophic earthquake, which will turn the streets into rubble and possibly destroy the Golden Gate Bridge. If many know this, why would residents want to live in this city?

For residents who live in known earthquake regions, they live with the knowledge that any day could be the last day they live and they’re prepared for that possibility. These residents want to live like it is their last day on earth. The tragedy is always a possibility.

For earthquake prone residents, they choose places to live that are built to withstand a medium to strong earthquake. Engineers and city planners have built high rises and two more story buildings with this natural calamity in mind. It is all done to keep the city’s residents safe.

Technologist specialist Jason lives in an area of the city, which is likely to be destroyed by an earthquake: in the Marina area. Jason knows the risk to living in the Marina area and has taken steps to protect his property and himself. He has gallons and gallons of water stored up and handy.

Jason’s emergency kit is set aside that has several much-required items to survive after an earthquake. He has medicine and packets of food. There are extra batteries saved up along with flashlights and other things needed to ensure his survival.

Earthquake Preparation Tips

There are six tips to follow when a city or area for that matter is experiencing a strong earthquake. Following them can reduce the changes of getting seriously injured or killed by falling debris.

Tip One – No doubt, the first and most vital tip when experiencing an earthquake is to duck. When an earthquake is going on, things tend to topple over and tumble down.

Tip Two – Stay away from items that are heavy and cause injury should they fall over.

Tip Three – Find a study table to hide under. Again, with heavy falling objects, a table can protect a person from head injury.

Tip Four – Head to an open area away from trees, high rises and power lines when a table is unavailable. An open area such as this is a safe place to go to keep from getting injured by falling debris.

Tip Five – Never go outside or run around during an earthquake. With debris falling, injuries are likely should a person panic.

Tip Six – Stay inside your car should you be caught in it during a quake. The same goes for stores, malls, theaters and stadiums… never run! Get under the seat and wait for the shaking to stop and things to quit falling.

When is it most people are hurt or killed? When they fail to prepare for the disaster or panic while the ground is moving. Persons should always have a plan for earthquakes even if the area is not known for them. Plan for the inevitable and plan accordingly.

How can a person survive a devastating earthquake the area is having? By being prepared and staying calm. It is those who have not prepared for a worst-case situation that will become victims rather than the survivors.

]]> http://disasterpreparedness.wordpress.com/2008/07/02/preparing-for-an-earthquake-%e2%80%93-six-steps-to-survival-during-one/feed/ 0 Tomira L. Rosser