There are a lot of disasters and emergencies that could happen in our lifetime – it could be natural or manmade. Are you and your family prepared for any of these?

Planning for any disaster is very important. You would not want to be caught up in a situation where you will be helpless, with no resources to depend on, no Plan A or B.

Resilience is a very helpful trait, but it is not enough. Preparation is still the key to survival. If you are prepared, you become one less victim that the government or responding teams need to help. You make their lives easier, and help them attend to those who really need it.

If you’re not sure what to prepare, here are tips to having an emergency kit that fits all kinds of emergency situations.

Before going out to buy what you need to prepare, the initial information you need to know is the number of people (and pets if you have any) you will be preparing for – consider their age and requirements. You may also check out Ready.gov for a more detailed emergency kit preparation.

If you have these sorted out, you can go ahead and start buying supplies.

Water: All disaster kits list water as a necessity. This is a must because humans can survive for days without food, but never without water.

Store water for a minimum of three days. If you can afford a portable water filter, it would be much better than carrying water. As long as there is running water available, you will have water to drink.

Food: Buy and store canned goods or ready to cook foods with long expiration dates because you will never know when disaster will strike. Be sure to check them regularly as well in case they need to be replaced with newer ones.

Lighting: Flashlights are a must, as well as candles. Better yet, buy headlamps so your hands are free to do other tasks. Look for headlamps whose batteries could last for days.

Whistle: Remember that scene in the movie ‘Titanic’ when rescuers were looking for survivors? Rose survived because she was able to grab a whistle and blew it with all her might. Otherwise, she might have died, too.

Masks: Fumes, gas or smoke can fill up the air during a disaster. You can die from suffocation or inhalation. Find a mask that can filter more kinds of substances than a simple surgical mask. It can save you, and it lasts longer.

Chargers: Power would most likely be out during emergencies so solar powered chargers would come in handy. Also add rechargeable batteries to your pack. Check for ones that could be used for days. And like food, be sure to check them from time to time to prevent batteries from leaking, or avoid devices that do not work.

Medications: If you or any of your family members have special conditions, pack the medications they need. Check for product expiry before stashing them in your emergency bag. It is also good to pack paracetamols or pain relievers, alcohol, and other items for treating injuries.

Multi-Purpose Tool Kit: Include a tool that has a knife, can openers, screw drivers, pliers, etc. If you often go outdoors for camping, I’m sure you would have something like it.

Extra Clothing: Pack a shirt, a sweatshirt or jacket with a hood, and a windbreaker or raincoat.

Radio: A radio is the most portable communication you have with the outside world to keep yourself informed. A handy radio that could pick up AM or FM signals would be great.

Staying alert and being knowledgeable about emergencies is very important these days with the onslaught of fierce weather disturbances as well as fierce people.

Gone are the days when we shrug off an incoming storm, or a community disturbance. Those are all in the past now. Today, these incidents can no longer be disregarded because they cost human lives.

Take campus terrorism for example. Statistics from January to July 2019 counts the number of reported shootings to 22 all over the US. That is a staggering and an alarming number. And is a real cause for concern. We can no longer afford to be careless, and getting ready is imperative.

Here’s background information on all possible disasters or emergencies that could happen, and what you can do.

Natural Disasters

Storms, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, earthquakes, heatwave,  wildfires, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and mudslides are natural disasters that cost lives when they happen. The global warming affecting earth has also intensified storms, hurricanes, and heatwaves.

If you frequently face natural disasters, you need to know basic preparations like unplugging all your appliances, storing food and water, having handy charging devices for phones, flashlights, safely storing important documents, filling your gas tank, and more.

You also need to store baby needs, old people’s needs, and your pet’s needs.

Bioterrorism and Chemical Exposure

People are vulnerable to any and all forms of chemicals brought about by bioterrorism. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has enumerated about 50 bioterrorism weapons, the most popular of which are anthrax and ebola virus.

The government has teams in place to readily respond to cases of chemical attacks. There are active monitoring of activities that may cause such attacks, and residents are often warned of impending or possible attacks. In such cases, be sure to follow instructions very well.

Radiation Exposure

If there is a threat of radiation, the affected population are advised to hide and seek shelter, stay inside, and stay tuned for updates.

If you have basements, stay there. Keep away from doors and windows. If you think you’ve been exposed, take a shower right away, or wipe the exposed body part with damp clothing.

Keep track of the news with your radios, TVs, or mobile devices, and only come out when the government says it’s already safe to go out.

Disease Outbreaks

If there is an outbreak, you have to find out what the disease is so you’ll know what to do. Some may require getting booster shots so you don’t get infected. And never ever forget alcohol or hand sanitizers with more than 50% alcohol content, as well as soaps, face masks, gloves, etc.

If you have children or infants, or seniors at home, keep them indoors to avoid exposure as some diseases are airborne. Avoid holding them or having hand contact without first washing your hands and changing your clothing if you’re coming from the office or grocery.

Watch the news to monitor what is happening, what safety measures to take, and when it is safe to go out.

Winter Wonderland is a classic song. You can almost feel the warm glow inside you when you hear the song during the holidays.

But winter wonderland is not always a happy place because it can pose a danger to the community and its people.

A blizzard is the last thing everyone wants during the winter. A ton of snow can mean slippery roads, road accidents, etc.

When a winter storm happens, would you know what to do? Are you prepared? If you’re not, read on to know how to keep yourself and your family safe during an extreme weather disturbance during winter.

• Stock up on basic necessities.

Do not buy what you need before an actual winter storm. Do it before the winter season so you would be able to buy everything you need. Plan ahead because you are able to think clearly when you’re not into panic buying.

Experts recommend buying food and water for at least three days. Include flashlights, batteries, first aid kits, phone chargers like power banks, etc.

• Keep important documents in a safe container.

Prepare for the worst-case scenario like damages that could happen to your house. Gather all your important documents (insurance papers, mortgage papers, passports, etc.) and place them in water proof containers. Also keep them within reach.

• Be careful of frostbite and hypothermia.

Gain knowledge about frostbite and hypothermia so you will know if you or a family member is already at risk. People are at a high risk from these medical conditions during the winter season.

• Have an alternative source of heat.

Electricity might be out during the height of the storm. Therefore, it is important to have an alternative heat source to avoid hypothermia, like a wood fireplace. If you have other heating source that requires fuel, be sure to follow instructions to avoid suffocation or poisoning.

If you’re using it for the first time, it is best to test it before its actual use. Also check smoke detectors if they’re working properly.

• Prepare your car.

It is not advisable to be out during a winter storm, but in case you really need to go, it is better to prep your car for the hazards waiting outside.

Check its antifreeze solutions and oil, brakes, headlights, heater, batteries, etc. Also stock your car with extra clothing, boots, ice scraper, and phone charging devices. Experts also recommend keeping a flare handy just in case you lose your way you need to be rescued.

• Keep snow shovels in the house.

Yes, you definitely need them after a heavy snow storm or snow fall. Put them in easily accessible areas of the house like a covered porch. You would them to clear your driveway and lawn.

Be sure to wear thick clothing, and cover your peripherals well to avoid blisters. And don’t forget to be careful when shoveling snow because it could lead to an accident due to the slippery surface.

• Secure yourself.

Getting caught in a winter storm while you’re at home is a different story from getting caught outside the house.

If this happens, be sure to park your car away from falling trees or power lines, even flying furniture. Try to seek a cover from the strong winds.