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Article Series: Floods
Flood Facts, Tips and Safety Protocols
Flood
Preparedness & Safety Procedures
Flood preparedness begins by assessing the
risk factor for your area. As a normal standard, if your area
is one that has the potential for flooding, the local authorities
will usually give advisory warnings on communities most likely
affected and what you should do to protect your home and property.
It may even call for an evacuation. It will be imperative that
you keep up to date with any and all directives as they may
include the safest evacuation routes, places to be avoided
and community shelters where you and your family can ride out
the duration of the flood event.
It may be that you will be given enough advance warning so
as to gather the members of your family together. However,
from time to time things happen so quickly that this is not
a guaranteed situation. So begin by putting an emergency plan
into action that every family member can understand and follow.
For safety
procedures it will be important to know how to
turn off electrical and natural gas sources in the home. Next,
you will want to have emergency kits easily accessible and
ready to go. Have a simple plan for any pets and livestock
that need to be evacuated as well. Set up a specific and safe
meeting place that everyone can reach that is outside of the
affected area. In today's high tech world it is common for
most families to carry cell phones. This is helpful in co-ordinating
where every member of the family is, but nonetheless, it can
be beneficial to select an out-of-state or province emergency
contact number where family can check in and if need be receive
any updates on what may be happening with other family members.
It is good to be aware of other members of your community
as well. It may be that some, due to old age or infirmities
are unable to respond to an immediate emergency. What can be
done to coordinate their safe evacuation? It may be vital to
designate certain individuals specifically before an emergency
arises. Then if this individual is unable to follow through
for some reason or another, they will be able to notify others
so that no one is forgotten or vital time wasted because of
some confusion on the matter.
An emergency
supply kit should contain some water, nonperishable
food, any necessary medications, personal toiletries, (perhaps
some extra warm socks!), a radio, flashlights, extra batteries,
and any important family documents which could include family
identifications. If possible it could help to add in a bit
of extra cash that would help tide you over for a few days.
These things can be stored in containers that are waterproof
for that added bit of protection.
At times such as these, one can appreciate that keeping your
vehicle in good working order and having the gas tank full
will eliminate any extra stress in making a speedy evacuation.
Initially it may seem a bit much to put these measures into
place. But more and more we can appreciate the fact that we
are living in a world where our safety or even immediate governmental
aid in emergencies isn't guaranteed. In recent years, governments
have cautioned their citizens to be prepared to take care of
themselves for at least 72 hours in the event of any major
catastrophe. The general principles outlined here can work
for any type of emergency.
Emergencies and disasters can happen anytime, anywhere without warning. Protect yourself and your family. Click to see valuable emergency preparedness supplies and information. Be ready. Be prepared. I love this website. It's my SolveYourProblem recommendation.
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by SolveYourProblem.com
: 2009
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