Top 10 Emergencies You Need To Be Prepared For
Reminder: Your coworker’s
heart attack is scheduled for
10:15 — please come prepared
to save his life.
In an ongoing effort to bring HOPE (Humor-Optimism-Peace-Empowerment) to the homeland, we bring you the following story to help empower you in times of crisis.
We all face emergencies in our lives. Some are more serious than others, but they all have to be managed. The most effective way to handle any emergency is to first be prepared for it before it strikes. Here we have the top ten emergencies you should be preparing for. Some are more likely to occur, while others are more devastating and therefore require special attention. One thing is for sure, by taking time and preparing beforehand, you will feel empowered and ready to take control of the situation!
10. Car breakdown/stranded
Admittedly, this does seem like a minor emergency. The thought of getting a flat tire and having to pull over on the side of the road to change it seems manageable. Now imagine, you are traveling along a dark unfamiliar road late at night and your car becomes incapacitated and you are left there with no flashlight, no tools, and no plan of action. Fortunately, you will have planned for just such an emergency and will be ready to take it on.
The first thing you need to do is make sure you car is properly maintained and serviced. It is best to avoid getting stranded in the first place! After that you need to make sure you have the necessary emergency kit in your car. Some of the most important items include a working flashlight, first-aid, flares, and a blanket. For a more extensive list of what to have, see the AAA link below. Finally make sure you have a number for some emergency roadside assistance so you can call for help.
http://www.ny.aaa.com/Safety/DriverSafety/Useful-Items-To-Keep-In-Your-Vehicle.aspx
9. Medical emergency
When a medical emergency strikes people are very quick to help out. How can you prepare for something like that beforehand? Often just figuring out the first few steps is all you need to do and you will find yourself handling the situation like a professional! There are a few things you can do to prepare for when a medical emergency strikes. Having a first aid kit is key. The act of setting up a first aid kit alone will empower you to feel ready in the event of an emergency. Another way to be prepared would be to get CPR training to ensure that you know what to do after you have dialed 911 and are waiting for first responders to arrive. Still another important step in being prepared is to designate a health care proxy that can make decisions for you in the event you become incapacitated. The links below will guide you through preparing a first aid kit as well as the steps to take for CPR.
http://www.redcross.org/prepare/location/home-family/get-kit/anatomy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cosVBV96E2g
8. Accident
An accident can be a very disorienting experience and knowing what to do is essential to managing the event well. Ensure that you have all of the proper documentation necessary including your license and registration, to handle the legal side of the accident. For a better idea of what documentation you need to have ready see the Hope in the Homeland article on the Top Ten things you always wanted to ask a Police Officer.
7. Fire
This is one of the most frightening emergencies to contemplate. Fire seems to have a life of its own and carries an added threat of smoke, which can kill a person quicker than the flames will. The best way to prepare for a fire is to have working smoke detectors throughout the house and to insure that the batteries are replaced on a regular basis. Another important aspect of your preparation should be to have a designated location outside where the family knows to meet up. Read this Red Cross checklist for further tips on being prepared in the event of a fire.
6. Flood
A flood is the type of emergency that creeps up on you. You are watching the weather and gauging how extensive the rainfall will be and before you know it the situation has changed and conditions are dire. Having flood insurance on your home will give you peace of mind and allow you to focus on the safety of your family first. Such safety begins by taking any evacuation notification seriously and not gambling on the weather. Below is a link to determine the flood zone where you are located. Information and planning will go a long way towards insuring that you are prepared.
https://www.fema.gov/flood-zones
5. Storm hurricane/snow
Mother Nature is a life threatening and devastating force that must not be taken lightly. Storms such as hurricanes or blizzards have been shown to overwhelm even the most prepared communities. The single most important thing that you can do to prepare for a weather event is to listen to storm warnings and evacuation notifications. That is such a major factor that you should set up weather emergency alerts on your phone to make sure you get the notification in a timely manner. The following link will guide you through the alert process from NOAA
https://www.weather.gov/subscribe
4. Earthquake
An earthquake is a powerful and sudden event. If you are in an earthquake prone region then you really need to know what you should and shouldn’t do in an earthquake. You should have extra money and medications on hand with your emergency supplies, as there may be a disruption in some services after the quake. You should get under a desk or table, or stand against an interior wall for safety. You should not stand in a doorway as the door will be swinging wildly and people may trample you to get out. You should not stay in the kitchen because it is a particularly dangerous room. For guidance on what steps to take before, during, and after an earthquake read this link from the California department of conservation website.
http://www.conservation.ca.gov/index/Earthquakes/Pages/qh_earthquakes_what.aspx
3. Financial emergency
This is an interesting emergency to prepare for. Nobody likes to think about falling on hard times but with a little foresight, you will be able to manage your finances much better when things get tough. Starting to think about how you are going to pay off your tax bill or your mortgage after you have just lost your job is not a good idea. You need to make sure that you have a cash reserve on hand which will allow you to cover at least 3 months of the essential expenses. Another important strategy to employ is to join a credit union or community bank. These community oriented financial institutions will see you as a person and not just a credit number. This will allow you to get approval for a personal line of credit that you can tap into in times of emergency. The government has posted some very good strategies for addressing this complex and challenging emergency.
https://www.ready.gov/financial-preparedness
2. Terrorist event
Terrorism is a difficult threat to prepare for due to its multifaceted and constantly changing nature. There was the “War on terrorism” and then “If you see something, say something” campaigns, both designed to combat terrorism. The problem is that as the public becomes aware of one tactic used by terrorist, there is a shift to a different tactic. Certainly being aware of your surroundings is a key aspect of being prepared. Another key aspect is to create a family emergency plan complete with a go bag, which will allow you to move the family to safety in the event of a significant incident that requires an evacuation. Understanding the possible methods of terrorism and how to handle them effectively will allow you to take control of the fear and anxiety that terrorists want to impose on you. Keep yourself informed with this FEMA guide to preparing for terrorism.
https://www.fema.gov/pdf/areyouready/terrorism.pdf
1. Blackout/power loss
Electricity is essential in today’s society. A loss of power would mean limited access to a whole host of services including money, food, and gasoline. Many of the preparations necessary for the other emergencies are necessary for this ultimate emergency. You obviously need a first aid kit and a go bag but you also need to make sure that you have reserves of your medications and finances. Another important action to take in preparation of a blackout would be to purchase a solar charger for your phone and other electrical devices. Having your electrical devices will be essential for getting information to keep you informed. FEMA has posted a very important guide that will enable you to know what actions to take if an event occurs and identify resources for more information on actions you should take before, during, after an event.
https://www.ready.gov/power-outages
While this list does not cover all the emergencies you will face it will give you a guide to keep you prepared for a wide variety of possibilities. It is the first step on a path, which will reduce your fear and anxiety. Following the steps outlined in this list will empower you and your family to be able to handle any emergency.
