How to Stay Safe During a Natural Disaster (The Survival Kit Guide)
Natural disasters—such as hurricanes, droughts, earthquakes, floods, landslides, wildfires, ice storms, extreme temperatures, and more—can happen at any time and to any of us. Several of these events have an even higher risk of occurring now due to the effects of climate change. Anticipating potential dangers, having a game plan, and knowing what to do when the time comes can make a big difference when protecting yourself and your loved ones from harm.
4 Tips for Surviving a Natural Disaster
- Understand You Area’s Potential Risks
First, you should be aware of any potential dangers in your area. Natural disasters will vary depending on where you live, so you need to know the risks specific to your area to be adequately prepared. For instance, residents in Louisiana should think more about what to do in the event of tornadoes and floods, whereas Oregonians should consider how snow, ice, and freezing rain might strike and cause power disruptions.
- Have a Plan
Before tragedy strikes, you need to make an emergency plan. Think ahead about where you’ll be going, what phone numbers you should have saved, and what supplies you should stockpile. Every family should have a plan tailored to the most likely disasters in their area. If you plan to use practical survival skills in the aftermath of a crisis, you should learn and practice them beforehand, because you won’t have time to read survival books or watch how-to videos during the real thing.
You should know exactly where you will evacuate to in the event of a disaster as well as the route to get there. The main goal is to have a location that’s tied to some form of civilization where you have water and a roof over your head. People frequently choose airports, hospitals, and shelters. Drive your kids to a nearby evacuation center a few times to get them familiar with it, make sure they know the way in case you can’t take them, and instruct them on how to pack their belongings quickly.
Plan on having something like a portable weather radio to receive life-saving information such as emergency broadcast messages, evacuation orders, shelter-in-place guidance, updates and directions from local authorities, and more. Using emergency power supply equipment, you can prevent this and other devices from losing power and ensure that you can obtain Internet and TV station information in real time.
If you have any pets, make sure your emergency bag includes enough food and medicine to last them at least a week. Letting your pet run free is preferable if teaching them to locate a shelter or keeping them in a safe place isn’t an option. A free animal has a significantly higher probability of escaping danger than a chained animal.
- Make Preparations
Make sure you have dependable backup power so you can still use lights, charge your electronics, and run essential appliances when the power goes out. This is the most important part of prepping your home for natural disasters that may leave you sheltering in place. The Vanpowers Solar Generator set (consisting of a 2000W portable power station and 200W solar panels) is a cost-effective electrical power source that eliminates the need for a diesel generator. A Vanpowers Solar Generator can power a wide range of devices and can be recharged through various means, including solar panels, wall outlets, and car charging ports.
In addition to a backup power source for at home or on the go, you’ll naturally need some survival essentials in your kit. Non-perishable food, water, a flashlight, a first aid kit, extra batteries, pet food—anything the average household would require daily.
- Follow Local News Media
Your local news can inform you of the severity of impending natural disasters. This information will determine if you should start packing immediately or stay at home. If there’s a chance the power might go out, make sure you can access news broadcasts for the duration of the catastrophe by having a source of backup power available.
Vanpowers Can Help You Prepare for the Worst
Compared to loud and expensive gas generators, Vanpowers portable power stations are a safe, convenient option for charging and powering your electronics during a natural disaster. Portable power stations and their accompanying accessories enhance both your energy security and your peace of mind by guaranteeing continuous access to renewable electrical power.
The Vanpowers Super Power Pro 2000 features a shock-resistant exterior shell and a strengthened interior that can withstand heavy impacts, a crucial quality for any emergency equipment. The Vanpowers SP100 and SP200 Solar Panels have an IP65 dust and water resistance rating and will not deform, fade, or scratch.
