Mastering the Challenges of Emergencies -

(Newswire.net — July 7, 2021) — No one likes thinking about emergencies. Yet, in the last few years, we’ve seen all kinds of emergencies strike: wildfires, power outages, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes. The list goes on. With climate changes, more people are realizing the need to prevent, prepare, and stay calm in the event of an emergency. Here are some keys to being prepared and ready:

Have A Survival Kit

If you lose power during a storm or cannot leave the house due to weather conditions, having a survival kit is a smart idea. The kit contents will vary depending on your location, home, and climate. However, some of the key items to include are:

Light: flashlights, lanterns, matches, and lighters
Energy: batteries, battery-powered radio, generator
Water: bottled water, gallons of water
Food: canned foods, dried foods, foods that don’t need to be cooked
First aid: first aid kit, medicines, and prescriptions
Cash: cash for gas, essentials, and if card machines are shut down
Documents: hard copies of essential documents

It helps to prepare a survival kit – before you need it. If you are in a family, make sure that everyone knows where the kit is located. Only use items in the kit for emergencies.

Make A Local Plan

Check with your local agencies to know where to go in a crisis. Most communities have designated locations that are considered safe. These may include churches, schools, and community centers. If you have a family to contact, have a plan for where you will meet up. Often people decide to meet at a mailbox, local store, or specific location, away from the home.

Outline Emergency Funding Options

No one likes to be out of cash during an emergency. If you are aware that you may have a cash flow problem, have a list of options for where you can get small personal loans. A personal loan can help out with an emergency condition, injury, or loss in your business.

Making a plan in advance can provide a distinct feeling of peace of mind. You can outline your emergency fund sources before you need them. Having a backup plan in case of need can help you stay calm and level-headed should a disaster occur.

Stay Calm

While staying calm is a smart idea, it is not something that you can turn on instantly. Staying calm is a skill. It is a skill to practice – before you need it. If you notice that you could use help with your calm skills, consider taking a course in stress reduction. Check out apps that help reduce anxiety. Take up a physical or mental practice such as mindfulness meditation, yoga, or breathing.

The more you practice staying calm, the better. Like any skill, it may feel odd or awkward at the beginning. However, with repetition and familiarity, you’ll improve your ability to stay calm.

Stay In Contact

It helps to have a low-tech and high-tech contact list in place. In some areas, we rely on our phones and voice technology to stay in touch with our loved ones. However, if you lose your phone, or the Internet is not available, you could be out of reach.

Make a hard copy of contacts that you might need in case of an emergency. This will include family, friends, and co-workers. It may include people who can help you with your homes –such as contractors, plumbers, and electricians. It could also include your doctor, banker, and insurance provider. With a hard copy, you won’t be out of luck should the electricity or Internet be out in your area.

Prepare Your Car

It’s easy to think that you’ll just pop in the car and drive to safety. In many cases, this is a good plan. But it only works if your car is safe, gassed up, and ready to go.

Keep your car ready to go. Check the air in the tires. Check the fluids. Have gas in the tank. In many areas, during storms, gas stations only accept cash. During storm seasons, gas stations may run out of gas or have long lines of customers. It helps to stay ready.

Practice Your Plan

The Red Cross offers practical advice, guidance, and tips to be ready for disasters. They offer tips for families, children, and voice technology. If you are part of a household, the Red Cross recommends practicing a disaster plan with your family.