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Encouraging Heroes. You can be one too.

A disaster can strike at any time. Families need to prepare for these disasters far in advance. This means planning, buying supplies and preparing the house and car. Not everyone knows what to do to get ready. There are five ways to prepare a family for the next big disaster.

Create an Emergency Pack

An emergency pack is a bag that can be quickly picked up if the family has to leave. The pack should include copies of important papers, food, water and a flashlight. It should also contain a battery-powered radio, a first aid kit and some cash. It can help to have individual packs with extra food and water for each member of the family as well.

Have a Disaster Plan

Families should have a disaster plan in place. This should include where to meet if separated, what to do if a disaster occurs while not at home and who can be called for help. The plan should detail escape routes from the house and ways to get to the nearest hospital or fire station. This will help everyone to know what to do during the confusion of a big disaster.

Store Extra Food, Water and Supplies

Extra food, water and supplies like blankets, candles and radios should be stored in a safe place in the house. These items are essential if a shelter in place order is issued. Enough food and water should be kept for at least two weeks. Food and water should be replaced regularly to keep it fresh.

Keep Vehicles in Good Condition

The family car should be kept in good condition in case an evacuation order is issued. The car should have regular maintenance. The gas tank should be kept close to full. Tires should be kept in good condition. Families should purchase new tires regularly from locations like http://simpletire.com whenever current tires start to show wear. It can help to order extra tires for an emergency. This will make it possible to drive through any conditions when evacuating.

Store Important Documents in a Safe Location

Important documents like insurance papers, immunization records and birth certificates should be kept in a waterproof bag in a safe location. This could be a safe deposit box, a safe in the home or a house in another area. This will make certain that the family has all necessary papers to recover after a disaster.

It is important to prepare a house for the disaster as well by installing sump pumps or storm shutters. Preparing the house will increase the odds that personal possessions inside will survive. Protecting the home can make it easier to recover after the disaster has passed.