Natural disasters including, floods, wildfires, and earthquakes are unpredictable. This may damage the entire place and much worse it can be the cause to cripple any businesses. Moreover, if you are unprepared for any of these hazards, obviously you and your family might be left without shelter, food, and electricity.
Hence before it will happen, you have to expect and get prepared. Although, we can never be one hundred percent prepared, the “6 Ways to Prepare for Natural Disasters” may help you speed up your recovery from the bad experience.
1. Evaluate The Risk – Familiarize yourself with the risk that may occur near your home
It is necessary to evaluate the risk of hazards to your property based on where your home is placed. In case you live right next to the mountains – your risk for landslides would be higher. If you live near the river or streams, obviously you may find yourself at the risk of flood.
If your home is near the canyon or geological formations that have signs of sediment, erosions or water flow your home is at great risk as well.
2. Mitigate The Risk – There are things can lessen potential damages
Meanwhile, there is no way to get rid of the flooding or landslides, there are things you can do to lessen potential damages on your property. If you are near the hill or the mountainside – building a retaining wall on the side of your house is a great help to redirect the flow of mud in case, mudslide or rock slide occurred.
Also keeping the drains and gutters free of leaves and other particles which may cause your property at risk of localized flooding is a great help. You may use sandbags as well for, protection of walls.
3. Recognize The Sign of Potential Disasters
If you have determined that your home is at greater risk of flooding or landslides. It is necessary to watch out for that sign and make decisions quickly as possible. Flooding can happen so fast!
Thus, it is necessary to pay attention to flood warnings and take immediate actions, especially you are already been warned.
4. Emergency Supplies – Ensure clean water and food supplies
When disaster strikes, make sure you have access to clean water and food supplies. Make sure that supplies are handy and in kits so you can grab it in case you necessarily leave the place.
Also, emergency supplies such as first-aid kits, flashlights, whistles, and cellular phones are must have on hand. So keep all these items in a safe area.
5. Check Your Insurance Coverage
Always expect the unexpected! Thus, before a disaster occurs ensure your home is covered by insurance whether it might be landslides or flooding.
Usually, these hazards may not be covered by standard homeowner’s insurance. But by paying a little extra for the coverage is well-worth if these natural disasters’ strike.
6. Have Your Important Documents Copied
In terms you are evacuating, make a priority of your documents. Secure them especially the contract of your home, insurance information and vehicle documents. Imagine that you have no time to rummage all these files if you are planning for a quick escape.
Thus, make sure that you keep these copies secured and save them somewhere you can access easily before leaving your home. Also, consider copying all documents in soft copy. Secure them on a platform which can be accessed remotely.
To learn more about disasters and threat in your area as well as for additional information visit the national disaster preparedness office near your local area.
source: https://www.disastercompany.com/6-ways-to-prepare-for-natural-disasters-infographic/
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