| What would you do if a major disaster occurred in | | | | Having a source of electricity "off the grid" will be a |
| your area overnight, took down all the power and | | | | lifesaver. A backup power system could be the |
| communications, and you had no one you could turn to | | | | difference between life and death for people with |
| for help? We hope no one ever finds himself or | | | | conditions that require life-support devices that are |
| herself in such a position, but unfortunately disasters | | | | dependent on electrical power. This is called a battery |
| disrupt the lives of hundreds of thousands of people | | | | backup system which is a battery bank made up of |
| around the world each year. So what steps can you | | | | deep cycle batteries. |
| and your families take to prepare yourself in case of | | | | - A Satellite Phone, these can be very expensive but |
| an emergency? Number one on the list is to have a | | | | well worth it if you ever need one. If the landlines are |
| survival kit ready and in an easily accessible location. | | | | down, and the cell towers have been damaged in the |
| 1. Your emergency survival kit should include the | | | | event, there really is no other way to call out. Having a |
| following: | | | | satellite phone for emergencies ensures that you will |
| - Bottled Water, the FDA recommends the kind of | | | | get coverage. |
| water you buy in the store, not tap water you bottled | | | | - An Inflatable Raft, sure, that might sound silly, but just |
| yourself. | | | | imagine how many people have been caught in the |
| - Food, you can purchase food for your kit from a | | | | middle of a major flood unprepared, you can bet that |
| vendor who sells emergency food supplies. Most are | | | | they wished they had one. |
| inexpensive and can easily be found through an | | | | Even if you have absolutely everything listed above, |
| Internet search engine. | | | | which is unlikely, you're far ahead of most people. But |
| - A first-aid kit. | | | | are you prepared? More than most, but not entirely. |
| - All of your necessary medications. | | | | What if you have to evacuate? Number three on our |
| - A couple of flashlights with extra batteries, and a | | | | list is a checklist for you and your family. |
| portable radio. | | | | 3. It is important for you and your family to formulate a |
| - A portable cooking apparatus. | | | | plan for emergencies. |
| - Extra clothing. | | | | - Make sure your children know what to do in case |
| - Blankets. | | | | you are injured, how to dial 911, and know what to do |
| - A tool kit, and a few pairs of work gloves. | | | | incase you are separated for some reason. |
| That's the bare essentials. Now let's look at some | | | | - Make sure you have a route planned in case you |
| things you can do to really make your life easier. | | | | need to evacuate, and know your destination. If |
| Number two on our list is backup systems and | | | | something catastrophic happened, an imminent terrorist |
| supplies. | | | | attack or nuclear threat, you need to get out of the |
| 2. You should have as many of these items on hand | | | | area as quickly as possible. You can shave valuable |
| as possible, having them all would make the | | | | minutes off of your evacuation time simply by planning |
| experience easier. | | | | ahead, and those minutes could be the difference |
| - Propane Gas, you may need either propane gas to | | | | between life and death. |
| power your portable cooking device. If you have | | | | - Make sure you have a designated spot to meet |
| propane heaters, having an ample supply of propane | | | | each other close by in case you are separated. |
| could keep you from freezing. | | | | If you have followed every step here, you can rest |
| - Tents, in the worst case scenario, your home is | | | | easy knowing that if disaster strikes, you are well |
| damaged to the point it is no longer safe, at least you | | | | prepared. We sincerely hope you do not ever become |
| have some form of shelter to sleep in until help arrives. | | | | a victim of such a disaster, but if you do, we would be |
| - A backup solar power system, home power outages | | | | extremely happy to know you were prepared. |
| will be widespread in the event of a major disaster. | | | | |