Many disasters occur any place and at any time. If you are reading this, most likely you have recently realized that you do indeed have a need for emergency preparation. The best way to sort through the overwhelming amount of information and supplies is to move step-by-step, from the most urgent of needs all the way to possible long term survival.
First know preparation will be your best comfort during an emergency and procrastination will be your worst enemy. Follow the steps in this article and you will at least be prepared for the first three days of an emergency, even if it is tomorrow.
Right this very second, ask yourself:
Do I have one gallon of water per person (pets, too) per day stored safely in my home?
If your answer is no, immediately do this: fill up empty two liter bottles with tap water. These will be good for six months to one year. Other options include prepared bottled water (longer expiration) and water cooler containers. If you need more containers then put the amount on the store run you will make after reading this article. The point is to do this now for the home. You can refine and add to your storage later.
Next, think about shelter. To effectively shelter, you must determine what types of disasters are more likely to occur in your region. Consider what your home building offers: perhaps a basement or inner most first floor room. Think about doors, windows, and sharp objects which could prove lethal. Familiarize yourself with correct information about different emergencies. There is a descriptive, interactive list of disasters at FEMA. Remember, knowledge leads to a calm mind.
Third, are you prepared if someone gets hurt or sick? Do you have a real first aid kit or the makings of? Check for these items now:
Absorbent dressings
Assorted bandages
Assorted roller bandages
Neosporin
Hydrocortisone cream
Antibiotic soap
Iodine
Aspirin
Thermometer
Anti-diarrhea medicine
Flashlight with fresh batteries
Battery or crank radio which is tuned to NOAA Weather Radio
Gloves
Cloth Tape
Prescription Medicine
Put all of the items you do have in a portable container. Again, what you don't have, put on the store list.
Food comes last but not least. Even though you can make it 72 hours on water alone, energy and stamina are important. Go look in your kitchen for food you do not have to refrigerate, prepare, cook, or replenish with much water. Look for non-perishable canned foods, cereals, protein bars, peanut butter, crackers, canned juices, vitamins, and some fun food. Try to avoid highly salty snacks. They make you want to drink more. Again, what you don't have, add to the store list.
Finally go to the store and get these items. Do not delay. It will take just a few hours, at most, to prepare for your basic safety. You can add to the first aid items you have or buy a complete kit. Drugstores carry these. By the end of the day have these basic supplies. If you are not satisfied with store choices, there are many resources on line to upgrade your first-aid kit. Read the items list. Some first aid kits are for simple cuts and bruises - not trauma.
If you have done this, commend yourself. Something done is always better than nothing done. The purpose of these steps is to break the procrastination trap. You now have done more than a large percentage of Americans have done in preparing for the unknown. You should feel less anxious about what needs to be done next. Now, take no more than a week to gather the water, first aid, and food for you car.
Your next step is to prepare for two weeks beyond these first 72 hours. Stick to the same food and water daily requirements.
Keep these supplies fresh. Organize by expiration dates. Some of the food you are storing now may be shelved a long time. Start now with dating the water bottles you fill (use your fill date). Date the ones in your three day supply. You will need to check these dates on a semi-annual basis.
It is highly suggested to prepare for two weeks, even a month if possible. The procrastinator is likely to stop at three days storage. Don't do this. Remember your feeling of accomplishment and continue with your efforts. Set a goal to prepare for two weeks in the next two weeks. That's averages to saving one day's supply per day. Involve the family in the food choices. Variety and palatability will become important for morale.
You definitely will want to add more survival items. This will include food preparation tools, medicines, and special family needs (elderly, baby, pet, etc.). Make copies of personal documents including ID, insurance, titles, and anything you will find hard to replace. Contact American Red Cross for complete supply lists and survival skills.
Congratulations -- you have just beaten your biggest enemy: procrastination. This is motivational info - very brief overview. You will want to look to organizations like FEMA and American Red Cross for full information.
I was surprised to find out that almost two-thirds of the population are not prepared for an emergency, let alone a disaster. And I was among this two-thirds. This struck a nervous chord. I am not just passionate on changing this for myself but others as well. The human population is at risk if these statistics remain the same.
http://www.esurvivalfoodstorage.com
http://www.esurvivalfoodstorage.com/disaster-survival-skills/emergency-survival-for-procrastinators
http://www.fema.gov/hazard/index.shtm
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