It was a crazy hurricane season and thankfully, it is almost over. Over the last several months, people have had to leave their homes due to hurricanes, fire, and tornados. Now some of us are starting to think about winter – the Farmer’s Almanac says it will be a bad one. UGH! I am not one for cold weather but I am gratefully I work from home so I can stay snuggled in on those cold winter days.
If you were a Girl Scout or a Boy Scout, you have always been told “be prepared” and we want to help you.
The truth is “Be Prepared” should be your motto. I mean who wants to be in the midst of the “craziness” when an evacuation or storm warning is issued. We have all seen the news when a storm is forecast, right? People running to the store for bread, eggs, milk and maybe some batteries. I am grateful hubby is BIG on being prepared and we are well stocked.
No matter where you live, there is always the potential for an emergency situation to arise and it’s infinitely better to prepare ahead of time rather than having to scramble at the last minute. So here’s some steps process for preparing.
#1 Make a List
What kind of emergencies are you likely to face in your area? Maybe it is hurricanes, or tornadoes, or blizzards. Whatever it is, create a list of items you might need. Yes, there are the basics like food and water, but how about those unusual things? Maybe a pocket charger for your phones, LED or solar lamps (in the event of long-term power outage and the need to work in the dark to repair something, etc.), baby wipes and perhaps the most essential emergency supply: chocolate.
#2 Gather Items Into One Location
Maybe you have the emergency supplies on hand,so you figure you are all set. The next question is but can you find them quickly? If not, they won’t be much help to you or your family. You can keep items in a closet like we are now, or in plastic totes in an accessible area of your garage.
Have kids? What about a Go Bag, or an emergency backpack for each them. A variety of things they might need based on their age if you need to leave your home in an emergency.
#3 Rotate Your Supplies
You’re all stocked, right? You have everything you need, right? Did you know canned goods and bottled water don’t stay fresh forever? They have expiration dates on them. So be sure to check your supplies at least once a year to rotate out the about-to-expire goods and replace them with fresh items.
#4 Develop a Preparedness Mindset
This is a great time of year to check out the clearance and sale items to add to your emergency stash. Camping goods (portable stoves, lanterns, etc) are in the Fall. Backpacks at the end of the back-to-school season. Canned goods are often cheaper around the holidays and you can stock up on candles at Christmas. You can also find many emergency supplies at the dollar store.
So…………
Will you be ready when an emergency hits?
If the answer any of these questions are a resounding NO, then you need to get it together. It is never too late to start. Batteries should be a mainstay in your home. Candles, extra food with important papers & medications easy to grab if you need to evacuate. Do you have a list of all of the medications and supplements you take available? I have one in my purse, one in my planner and one on my phone with the name of my doctors so if there was an emergency, I am ready.
What are your best tips for being prepared in an emergency?
Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!
Hope Wissel 