potential DISASTERS
What is your game plan for the potential disasters in your area.
One of the first things to do is become familiar with the potential disasters in your area. If you have lived there for some time you probably know what they are, and you may already have a game plan in place for what to do when disaster strikes. However, if you are new to the area it will provide some peace of mind knowing what to expect and how to prepare.
For example I grew up in the Mid West, also know as "Tornado Alley," and I can remember doing tornado drills during school. One experience I will never forget is the time I was out at a movie with some family and friends, when the warning sirens sounded. We were all evacuated to the hallways of the theater building, and I can still feel the nervousness that filled those crowded halls as we waited with anticipation to get the all clear to go back to our movies. I believe that was one of the earliest instances in my life that I felt extremely unprepared for the situation, and what it could have become very quickly.
Now living in the desert, there are new and different challenges and situations that I must always be aware of and plan for. One of these planning elements is always having some way to carry or get access to the most critical resources in any disaster...clean drinking water.
I encourage you to do some research on potential disasters that could be a concern in your area. Then start to planning the things that you can do now to be prepared ahead of time if that disaster were to hit your area with little or no warning.
This page provides information and links to content that will assist you in developing your game plan, so you can have greater peace of mind knowing that you have a plan in place that will give you and your family a leg up when a challenging situation arises.
a quick trip into town
Do you have some basic items if you end up on the side of the road, or something unexpected happens?
You are just heading into town to run a couple errands. What could possibly happen in that short of time. Little did you know that your engine would over heat and you would be stranded on the side of the road in the blistering heat for an hour waiting for the tow truck to show up. Then you think to yourself “It‘s getting hot out here...I wish I had some water to drink...I am starting to feel light headed.”
With the modern conveniences we have become somewhat accustom to and expecting will always be there, we sometimes forget what life was like without the ability to call or text someone instantly for help. If we ran out of gas it was sometimes a hike to the nearest gas station or pay phone to call for help.
It does not take much effort to throw a backpack or extra bag into the trunk with some basic items that could make all the difference when something happens to your car while out for a short couple of hours. Even if all you had was a couple bottles of water and a few snacks, it could be all you need to get you through the waiting for someone to come rescue you. And if you live in any type of desert area even a half hour in the summer heat with no water can change an inconvenient situation into a quick trip to an urgent care with dehydration or heat exhaustion.
So lets take just an extra couple of minutes to grab that backpack with some extra gear, which some folks may call a go bag, bug out bag or get home bag, and throw it in the back seat or trunk just in case its needed. It may be the difference between a good day or a really bad day.
