With the wild fires blazing in Gatlinburg and all around the Southeast, there is a daunting reminder for emergency preparedness in the Southeast. While California is not a stranger to this type of natural disaster, the Southeast is a region ill-prepared for the destruction that would come as a result of such fires. It is important to have a plan for each type of natural disaster and to make sure your home and other assets, including your pets, are taken care of before disaster strikes.
Here are some simple, but necessary, steps to emergency preparedness.
- Check with your insurance provider to make sure you are covered. From car to home to family, making sure you have coverage from A to Z is the best way to make sure that even if there is a natural disaster or emergency, you will be able to recover fully.
- Create a preparedness kit. If you are stuck in a situation where you will not be able to leave your home, having these items could be the difference in survival.
- Prepare a full-use first aid kit, along with a fire extinguisher. Whether you build this yourself or purchase the kit outright, having this kit will bring peace of mind, and can be used outside of natural disasters as well. Just make sure you stock back up on any items that you use.
- Prepare an evacuation route and alternative plans. If you think your home will be hit by a natural disaster, have a nearby contact that will allow you and your family to stay with them in the case your home becomes the victim of a natural disaster.
- Have backup technology. This includes things such as backup phone chargers, batteries, radios and flashlights.
- Keep up with the news. Knowing what is coming and when it will arrive is the best step to maintaining safety.
- Learn how and when to turn off the water, gas, and electricity. Doing this can prevent a lot of damage that would otherwise occur during an emergency.
Whether the issue is snow, wild fires or tornadoes, it is apparent by the news coverage that the Southeast is not prepared for the types of natural disasters that the rest of the United States is prepared for. The lack of preparedness seems to stem from the fact that the Southeast gets to enjoy the pleasures of a mild climate year-round. When you are enjoying your cool fall weather, you should also be considering what is to come—be that drought, snow, flooding or any of the many natural disasters.
More details on emergency preparedness can be found on the CDC Website.
Post By: Sarah Scott
sarah@tolleycm.com
