In 2021, the U.S. sustained 20 natural disasters like floods, fires, and cyclones. These events cost Americans billions in damages — not to mention the untold emotional toll for countless families.
We can’t always predict when a disaster will strike, but we can protect our loved ones with the proper preparation. Here are a few tips and tricks to help your household get ready for the next emergency.
Make an Action Plan (and Practice It)
The most important thing you can do in a natural disaster is keep yourself and your family safe. But of course, that can be hard to do when everyone is in a panic!
This is why it’s important to make an emergency action plan for your household AND to practice it regularly. Make sure everyone (even the littlest ones in your home) know how to get out of your home safely and where to go if they get separated from the group.
Video about emergency action plan for your family:
Keep Important Documents Together
Time is of the essence in an emergency, so the last thing you want to be doing is searching up and down for your family’s documents. Keep items like social security cards, insurance paperwork, and important phone numbers (Do NOT rely on your cell phone in case the battery runs out) in one place like a lockbox or binder. This way, you can simply grab the binder and have everything you need in your hands!
Repurpose Your Appliances
Did you know that your washing machine can be a temporary ice box when the power is out? Just fill it with ice and put your refrigerated items inside; the machine will drain the water as the ice melts.
Worried about items being damaged during a flood? Store them in the dishwasher before you evacuate, as they’ll be safe in the sealed machine. These little tricks can help you make the most of the stuff you have in an emergency.
Maximize Your Products
Speaking of “making the most of what you have,” there are several common household products you can use in emergency situations to help you and your loved ones. For example, aluminum foil is an effective tool for collecting rainwater, boiling water, and cooking food. You can even use it to make AAA batteries fit in AA slots! Look for ways to get more use out of the products already in your home.
Keep Supplies Stocked
All these tips will help you once disaster strikes, but they are no substitute for careful planning in advance. This is why it’s so important to keep emergency packs with food, batteries, flashlights, and other supplies (like that aluminum foil) in your home.
Check out our selection of emergency food rations so you can have a well-stocked and prepped home all year round. Our New Millennium energy bars are easy to store and carry, plus they pack 410 calories! Did you know our energy bars and Mainstay and SOS Food Lab emergency food rations are also packaged to last for 5 years? Be prepared. Be safe.
