Thursday, September 29, 2011

Preparing For Disaster: The Difference Between Life And Death

With numerous natural disasters getting play on the evening news, it is no surprise that an increasing number of people are preparing for an emergency. While it may be impossible to predict when the next earthquake, hurricane or tsunami will strike, there are a number of things you can do to make sure you are prepared for the worst. Even simple things can make a huge difference. Installing a power generator and generator automatic transfer switch, for example, can keep you with power during an emergency. By making sure that you have the tools to survive a disaster, you can ensure that you and your loved ones stay safe.

One of the most basic things you can do to protect yourself against disaster is to put together an emergency survival kit. Dehydration is one of the most common causes of fatality in a large-scale disaster. Try to have enough clean water on hand to last at least three or four days. If you have the storage space, you should have enough to last two weeks. When stocking food, it is important to remember that you may not have access to a can opener. Food stored in cardboard tetra packs keeps just as well as food stored in cans, and can be opened with bare hands. It is also important to make sure that you have basic first aid supplies in your kit. Gauze, bandages, scissors and a disinfectant should all be mandatory.

Power outages are frequent occurrences during most types of natural disasters. While you should include candles and a lighter in your emergency kit, you may also want to consider installing a back-up power generator. Connected to a generator automatic transfer switch, it will begin to power your house as soon as you lose access to the regular electric grid.

There are also a number of things you can do to the building itself to help it withstand disaster. What you do, however, depends largely on the types of disasters common in your area. If you live along a fault line, for example, you should make sure that the foundation and structure of your house has been properly reinforced to withstand an earthquake. If you live in a common hurricane path, you should flood-proof your basement and make sure your roof is coated with a strong, weatherproof finish.

Regardless of how well you think you have prepared, you may never truly be ready for a disaster. Even if you are taken by surprise, however, taking measures to prepare yourself now could end up saving your life later. Making sure that you have a proper emergency kit, that your generator automatic transfer switch is in working order and that your building has been built to withstand disaster may end up being the difference between life and death.

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