Marian Nelson-Addy: Preparing for Disaster
People that live in natural disaster-prone areas generally known to have certain supplies and tools available. Marian Nelson-Addy has seen the results of various types of natural disasters, and she knows that there are certain things that can make enduring the chaos safer and the aftermath more bearable. Here are a few items to have on hand in case severe storms (rain or snow), tornados, hurricanes, or earthquakes hit.
This list from www.ready.gov encompasses what most emergency kit lists include. There should be enough of everything in this kit to last for at least three days:
· One gallon of water per person per day
· Non-perishable food, enough for each person per day
· Manual can opener, mess kits, paper plates, utensils
· Battery-powered or hand crank radio and NOAA weather radio
· Flashlights
· Extra batteries
· First aid kit and instructional book
· Whistle to signal for help
· Dust mask to filter contaminated air
· Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
· Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and twist ties for personal sanitation
· Wrench or pliers to turn off appliances
· Local maps
· Cell phones with chargers (inverter or solar)
· Extra clothes, including some for cold or wet weather
· Sleeping bags or blankets
· Matches
· Fire extinguisher
Things to add to the kit should be anything extra you or your family may need, such as diapers and baby food, pet food and extra water, feminine and personal hygiene supplies, or additional medications. Copies of important family documents should be put into a portable waterproof container, along with extra cash. It can also be helpful to have paper and pencils, coloring books, games, or other activities to pass the time, especially with children.
Some other useful tools could be a generator, a Life Straw (portable water filter), cell phone signal boosting kit, or a satellite phone. It is also good to have a plan and make sure your family knows the plan. This should include meeting places in case family members are not all at home when disaster strikes or if you have others you would like to meet up with if possible.
It is important to be aware of the possibilities in your area, and know that sometimes the improbable happens. There are those known as preppers who stock up on supplies to last months or years following a range of possible disasters – natural or human. There is nothing wrong with that approach, but it isn’t feasible for many people. Marian Nelson-Addy advises at least having the basics and knowing how to use anything extra that may be included. Disasters are not the time to learn how to use your new satellite phone or generator, and definitely not the time to realize that you should have been more prepared.
