Natural disasters used to be unpredictable. With the development of technologies and science, we are lucky enough now to predict when a storms or almost any natural disaster is approaching; which also means that we can be prepared and take the necessary measures to minimize the damage and even avoid serious hazards.
There are three essential moments around a natural disaster and specific measurements to be applied:
Before
Take precautions:
- Protect the most vulnerable and important areas such as the roof, the windows and the doors (including the garage door).
- Make sure there is not any debris or waste around your house.
- Check your insurance and make sure it provides protection in case of hurricanes or floods and that it can protect both the structure of the house and your belongings. Moreover, keep a copy of the document, the name of the bank, and the number of the loan (in case your house is financed) in an accessible place.
- Make sure all important documents are kept safe. Take pictures of your insurance documents, passport, identification card, and other fundamental documents and upload them to the cloud.
- Take pictures of your house since this will help in case of damage complaint.
- Have an emergency kit at hand that includes everything from water, clothes, imperishable canned foods (and a can opener), money, medicine (especially for the flu), masks, and band-aids; to tools such as flashlights, batteries, phone chargers, lighters, blankets, and ropes.
- Make sure you keep an emergency kit at work and in the car in case you were to be caught in the middle of the disaster in either place.
- Use social media as a way to keep yourself and others around you updated. Constantly check the news from FEMA for any incoming information.
- Draw an emergency plan and make sure you know the escape routes. Also, plan for a rendez-vous spot in case you and your family were to stray away.
- Establish contact with your neighbors to be able to offer help as well as receive it.
- Make sure the gas tank in your car is full to avoid stranding in case of a further emergency.
- If you have pets, take pictures of them, make sure you update the information regarding their chip in case they are lost, have their tag also marked with the updated contact information so you can be reached if they are found.
During
Keep calm and steady:
- Stay safe. Steer away from doors, windows, and remain in a clear place, away from objects that can turn dangerous. In case of evacuation, do it immediately.
- Stay inside. Do not come out on the street and keep your family and the people with you together.
- Keep away from streams and rivers since, during a storm or hurricane, they also rise and overflow and they become increasingly dangerous.
- Unplug and disconnect all electric devices if they are not completely necessary. This way, you can protect them from power surges during the disaster and you also protect yourself from possible electrical shock.
- Prevent fires. Use flashlights instead of candles or kerosene lamps.
- Use your cellphone only for the necessary. During a natural disaster, your cellphone can be the only wait to receive help. Keep the usage at minimum and preserve the battery.
- Protect your pets. Keep them inside with you, have food save for them, and ask the veterinary if any medications need to be used during the disaster.
- Do not try to drive or swim the waters (in case of a flood). This can be extremely dangerous since wires, debris and hazardous waste are all around after a natural disaster.
- As always, keep yourself informed as much as you can.This can make the difference.
After
Assess the current situation:
- Make an evaluation of your property. Contact experts like Servxpress Restorations to carry out an inspection and check if there is slight or heavy damage in your property.
- Do not have any reconstruction made until an inspector visit you to assess the damage caused by the disaster.
- Protect your property against subsequent damage or loss. Water damage inside the wall is a common consequence that can easily lead to the appearance of mold, so it is important to contact the experts to inspect your property and perform a mitigation process.
- Keep away from fallen electrical wires. Stay away from their surroundings and do not touch anything that might have contact with them since they can still be running with electricity even after the event.
- Be very careful when turning on power banks.
- Do not try to walk, swim or drive around after the storm. You can be hurt from the debris, or you can get electrical shocks from power lines that might be submerged under the flood.
- Call your relatives. Let them know that you are okay. In case you needed assistance, let them know how they can help from outside.
- Always follow the instructions from the authorities.
Having a plan of action, the necessary tools and the proper prevention can make a big difference in the outcomes of our experience facing a natural disaster.
