How Rural Families Can Stay Prepared at Home for any Emergency

Rural families can stay prepared at home for an emergency in various ways. In most cases, common sense prevails, and just understanding what can happen and how to deal with it can be a lifesaver. However, something worse than you used to happen every now and then, and that’s just life. But when you plan for such an event, you can get through it much more easily. From creating an emergency plan to having useful contact lists, here are some suggestions for safety.

Stock Food and Water

Food and water are perhaps the two most essential things when going through a home emergency, such as a power outage or natural disaster. Water, especially, is vital since you may not have access to working facilities like drinking water, running faucets, or a flushing toilet. An emergency water storage tank can be a lifeline during a natural disaster when you have limited water access. However, stocking up on bottled water and canned goods is a great alternative.

Stay Prepared at Home with a Plan

A survey of American families found that less than 50% have an emergency plan. That means there is a much higher potential for something tragic when the worst happens. But what does an emergency plan look like? There are different plans you can design as a family for staying safe:

• A plan with emergency contacts, meeting points, and ways of staying in touch will help.
• Draw up a plan of the home so you all know how to evacuate safely and quickly.
• Pack a “go-bag” for each family member based on personal needs and carry abilities.

Curate a Disaster Kit

A disaster kit can be just enough to get you and the family through something severe like an extended power cut, flood, or severe storm. Think about what you will need to survive and stay comfortable until the lights come back on or help arrives. When power goes out, so too do most of the things you rely on. Heating, Wi-Fi, and appliances are examples. An emergency kit should include food and water, but also blankets, sanitation products, and a working radio.

Practice What to Do in an Emergency

Depending on where you live, the chances of a life-threatening emergency can be all too real. For example, living near tornado alley means your home is susceptible to severe storms. Another example would be living near a riverbank, where your home could be flooded. Planning for an emergency can be a key factor in getting through it as a family. Help could be days away, so plan and practice for the most likely scenario and ensure everyone knows how to evacuate.

Stay Prepared at Home with First Aid Training

It is estimated that early bystander first aid and CPR saves up to 200,000 lives each year in the US alone and can double or triple the odds of survival while awaiting EMS. So, from planning a camping trip to making your home emergency ready, first aid should always be a top priority.

Get trained and keep it up

Local communities and services like St. John’s offer free first aid courses you can learn from. There are also apps provided by services like the Red Cross, and watching YouTube can’t hurt!

Build a home first aid kit

There are some essentials you need for a reliable home first aid kit. You can buy these ready-made, but ensure you have wound care, pain relief, tools, and personalized medications.

Know the key steps

Early actions can be the difference between life and death and there are some key steps for rendering first aid, such as checking the patient, calling for help, and providing first aid care.

Staying prepared for an emergency at home involves understanding first aid. When someone is injured during a disaster in a rural location, it could be a long time before help arrives, and your actions can save lives. Take a course, build your kit, and ensure you understand the key steps.

Secure Important Documents

With all the focus on food, water, and comfort, there are some things that get overlooked when it comes to emergency plans. One of these is “important documents”. Important documents include passports, birth certificates, and insurance policies. Home insurance policies are especially critical when there is a high chance of house damage, but life and health insurance policies are also vital. If possible, store these out of the home so they don’t get lost or damaged.

Check Your Home for Hazards

During a severe event, the home itself can become a threat, and common household dangers can be amplified. This includes mold when a home is flooded, for example. Keeping a well-maintained and inspected home can help reduce the chances of making a bad situation worse. Inspect the roof and gutters often to ensure your house can handle drainage. Also, ensure your home is well-lit to help with evacuation, and of course, test emergency alarms!

Have Contacts to Stay Prepared at Home

When you live in a rural location in the US, the average wait time is much higher. Studies have shown that the average wait is between 13 and over 20 minutes, with 10% waiting over 30 minutes. However, having the right emergency contacts at hand can help you get through it:

• Record the appropriate local emergency services office numbers, not just 911.
• Ask your local doctor for their personal contact in case of a severe emergency.
• Keep the number of various friends and family who can assist during a disaster.

Don’t Forget About Financials

A natural disaster can be expensive, especially if you haven’t planned ahead. Thinking about the possibilities of what can happen to a rural home, such as a severe weather event or fire damage, will help to obtain the necessary insurance policies and keep them safe. It also helps to revise any estate planning in the event of a tragedy. However, even with insurance policies, access to funds isn’t immediate, so ensure you also have an emergency bank account.

Summary

Stocking canned food and bottled water can help you stay prepared at home when there is an emergency like a power outage or natural disaster, especially in a rural location. First aid knowledge can be a lifeline, and it also helps to ensure your finances are taken care of, too.