How To Prepare For a Natural Disaster

As the old saying goes “it's better to be safe than sorry” is a motto that holds true in most cases. Let's hope you never have to use an emergency survival kit, but it's nice to know you're prepared just in case something does go bad.

In the past decade, there have been several major hurricanes here in the U.S. that have left a trail of destruction and carnage in their wake. Most Americans remember the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina like they were yesterday. Once the levies broke in New Orleans, there was nothing left to stop this massive flood of water from wrecking havoc on this historic city. More recently, though, Hurricane Sandy came through and destroyed portions of the Caribbean, Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern U.S. in October 2012.

When a natural disaster such as a hurricane strikes, people stuck inside the red zone may experience loss of power, no cell phone coverage, flooded streets and no food or water. Depending on the region and time of year, all of these problems may be compounded with freezing temperatures, which increases the risk of hypothermia.

Thankfully, however, keeping an emergency survival kit in an easily accessible location can help keep you and your family alive if such a disaster were to occur. These kits include essential items for survival, such as high-calorie food bars, water pouches, water purification tablets, AM/FM radio, first-aid kit, matches and much more.

The fact is that everyone needs to have at least one (if not more) first-aid kit around the house in the event of an emergency. Even if a natural disaster doesn't occur, accidents are bound to happen. If you or someone else inside your home suffers from an injury, you'll have a first-aid kit on hand to help treat the wound. Sure, you may have some of these items scattered throughout your medicine cabinet, but keeping them safely tucked away in a first-aid kit will make them easier to find and access when you need them most.

The real benefit to owning an emergency survival kit is the peace of mind it offers. The chance of a natural disaster striking your home might be slim, but you can sleep sound at night knowing you are prepared if it does occur. Emergency survival kits could potentially save the lives of you and your family, and there's simply no way you can put a monetary value on that. Just remember to keep them in a place where you and your family can easily access them, and you'll also want to go through it at least once a year to ensure everything is properly stored and packaged.