Disasters come in all shapes and forms. Natural disasters, such as earthquakes and tsunamis, are some of the most well-known types of disasters. Other types are caused by humans, either directly or indirectly. Regardless of what type it is, most disasters often end in catastrophe and result in injury, property destruction, and death. Now imagine if you got involved in one of those mentioned disasters. Are you prepared for it? Do you think you’ll survive? Will you be able to recover during the aftermath? These are some terrifying questions but ones that you should seriously consider.
Know Where You Are
Your location can tell you a lot about what types of disasters you need to prepare and be on the lookout for. Those living in the city are most likely to be affected by earthquakes. An earthquake can cause massive damage anywhere, but this is especially true for a city. Such a disaster can crumble buildings, make roads inaccessible, and shut down power for the entire area.
Owning a sturdy table, getting a backup generator, and having a stock of canned and non-perishable food already makes you more prepared than most people for an earthquake. To go the extra mile, have your home’s foundations and walls reinforced to be able to withstand a small and medium quake.
Those living near open fields are often affected by tornadoes. This swirling vortex of destruction can devastate anything in its path. So far, it is impossible to tell when a tornado will form, and it is challenging to prepare for such an event. Even the sturdiest of houses are not guaranteed to survive once a tornado passes near.
If you live in a tornado-prone area, having an underground shelter below your home filled with rations and emergency equipment is a good way to prepare. Make sure to have a radio in there and flashlights. You can also have a second exit installed in case the primary entry point gets blocked by debris.
Man-made Disasters
Although not as devastating as natural disasters, emergencies caused by people are equally scary. Widespread riots and indiscriminate violence are some of the scariest situations you can be in. Watching the news and seeing all the acts of violence and crimes committed can be nerve-wracking. If you see that the incidents are coming closer to your residence area, you should get out and evacuate to a safer area immediately.
However, there are moments when escape is no longer an option. Have monitor screens inside a saferoom connected to a series of CCTV cameras positioned at every entry point of your home. This will be a great way to monitor your vicinity in the safety of a hidden and fortified room. Reinforcing your doors and getting metal shutters for your windows is also a great precaution to take.
Admittedly, making such preparations can be a costly undertaking and is only advisable for people who want to commit to preparing for such an incident to occur.
A Medical Crisis
The recent pandemic due to the Coronavirus opened our eyes to how ill-prepared we are for such a catastrophe. Epidemics have been a reoccurring event throughout human history. Each time it happens, humans understand diseases and infections and how to deal with them. Use this current pandemic to better prepare yourself for future ones that may occur.
Consider investing in your health by taking vitamins and supplements to strengthen your immune system. Exercising and doing physical activities can also help in this regard. Keep all the medical regulations and protocols in mind. These regulations were put in place to reduce the possible points of contact for infection. Maintain personal rules such as social distancing even after the pandemic.
It’s also a good idea to have not only savings but also investments. The lockdown showed people that it’s not enough to have a single source of income. Should another lockdown occur, your savings will dwindle rapidly and make it difficult to recover financially. Investments can ease the burden of your dwindled savings and give you something to fall back on should it run out.
Telling the Same Story
Whatever type it may be, disasters tell the same story. It often ends badly for those who failed to prepare. You can choose to follow the precautions listed in this article to better prepare yourself should such an incident happen to you. You can also choose not to do any of it if you are already content with your current setup. What’s important is that you are made aware of these disasters and what you can do to ensure the safety of yourself and your family.