Disaster Checklist: 5 Things You and Your Family Need in Case of a Major Disaster

Everyday we see and hear about new catastrophic disasters occurring all over the World. Floods, earth quakes, tornado and hurricanes can happen seemingly anywhere at any time - and without much warning. Depending on where we live in the world conflict, civil wars, catastrophic infrastructure collapse and terrorism are to one degree or another real and dangerous threats to the safety of our families and ourselves. We are all aware of the potential for catastrophic disasters of one kind or another to happen in our communities but are we appropriately prepared to survive in circumstances where access to food, water, communications and medical treatment are unavailable for days, weeks or even months? The answer in too many cases is no.

Being prepared to survive through the aftermath of a disaster is easier and cheaper than you might think and can be the difference between members of your family living and dying in the days and weeks following an unforeseen event. The following are the top 5 things everyone should have prepared if they are to survive in the aftermath of an disaster:

1) Have a family plan to survive and know it well. All the supplies in the world will be in vain if your family does not know what to do when disaster strikes. What to do if you are separated? Where to go to meet? How to use the various tools and supplies you have stored? These questions and many more must be explored, answered and understood by every member of your family. Without a well developed and understood plan you and your family are not properly prepared. As the old saying goes, if you fail to plan you are planning to fail.

2) Have a long lasting supply of nutritious foods and fresh clean drinking water stored in a safe, dry and easy to access place that is unlikely to be buried in debris or made otherwise inaccessible. If you and your family are to survive you must have access to good food and clean drinking water. It is essential that you select foods that are both nutritious and long lasting. A food supply that is not nutritious will not provide the necessary energy to remain vital and strong through difficult times. If food in your supply has past its expiration dates while in storage you risk making your family dangerously ill. Several companies exist that sell nutritious, long lasting and inexpensive food specifically for survival purposes. In many cases you can purchase food for set durations. For example, you can order prepackaged, ready to prepare food that will last a single person one week, on month or one year. Additionally, a food supply that has been buried under rubble or has floated away or been ruined by flood waters or fire is useless. Plan a safe, dry place for your food and water supply to be stored. Think through the fallout of all potential disasters and plan accordingly.

3) Have essential survival tools and supplies stored in close proximity to your food supply.You will need tools to ensure that you remain warm, dry, fed and safe from the elements. You will need blankets, fire starters, water purification or making systems, knives, flashlights, tarps or tents, items for cooking and eating as well as solar/wind/battery powered radio among other many other things. Several companies sell pre-assembled survival tool and supply kits which vary in price, use and complexity. You can find and buy a short term survival tool kit for as little as $50.00 online or various better equipped kits for up to many times more money. Choose the kit that best suits your family, your plan and the length of time you want to survive unaided.

4) Have an extensive first aid kit. During disasters people get hurt and may not have ready access to medical personnel for days or even weeks. It is essential for you and your family to have a well equipped first aid kit and to know the basics of applied first aid. Like the other survival essentials mentioned in this factoid you can find and order first aid kits of various qualities and complexity online starting for as little as $50.00 and climbing in price up to many times more than that. To really be prepared you and your family should enroll in a first aid training courses in order to learn how to deal with medical emergencies quickly and properly. Courses in your community can be found in any phone book, online or through your local chapter of the red cross. Many of these courses will provide you with first aid kits. Having basic first aid skills and a well equipped first aid kit can mean the difference between life and death for you or your loved ones.

5) Have the necessary tools to defend yourself and your family. During disasters and times of civil upheaval otherwise normal decent people may become afraid and desperate - especially if they are unprepared. This fear and desperation will lead them to act in ways they would not act in less difficult times. They may engage in criminal and or violent behavior in attempt to save themselves or the people they care about. Your stored supplies will have become more valuable than gold during a prolonged disaster and people may attempt to take your stores from you - possibly by force. It is crucial that you have the necessary tools to defend your self and your family as well as the skills and training required to use those tools effectively and safely. You and you family can find these tools and the training required to become proficient in their use online, in the phone book or through your local police station.

Being ready for a catastrophic disaster is crucial to the survival of you and your loved ones. By following this list of 5 things you must have prepared you can easily and inexpensively have what you need to make it through the aftermath of even the most difficut and dangerous disasters.