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Natural Disaster Checklist

Various natural disasters affect every part of the country. Tornadoes, blizzards, hurricanes, earthquakes, flash floods and tsunamis can happen in the blink of an eye. Are you, your family and your community ready in case something happens? A successful recovery goes beyond just having supplies stored away. You need to have an action plan established so that everybody knows what to do after a natural disaster strikes.

Here is your natural disaster checklist:

1. Make a Survival Kit

Store your survival kit in a safe, dry and easily accessible place so that you can quickly grab it before an evacuation or before you take shelter in your home.

• Several days’ worth of drinking water (1 gallon per person per day)

• Non-perishable food

• Flashlights

• Candles/Matches

• Batteries

• First-Aid Kit

• Gloves

• Eye Protection

• Pet Food/Supplies

• Duct Tape

• Plastic Bags

• Tool Kit

• Blankets/Sleeping Bags

• Whistle

• Extra Prescription Medication

• Change of Clothes

2. Prepare Your Home

Make sure your home is ready so that property damage and personal injuries are limited during a natural disaster.

• Secure heavy objects and furniture that might fall or tip over

• Hang pictures and mirrors away from beds and couches

• Brace light fixtures

• Repair cracks in foundation, walls and roofs

• Clean rain gutters regularly

• Store cleaning chemicals in a safe place

• Dispose of hazardous materials properly

• Repair gas leaks and check all line seals regularly

• Make sure your property insurance covers against certain disasters

3. Establish an Emergency Plan

Every natural disaster has a recommended plan, so know what to do in case one strikes.

• Practice your emergency routine at work or home regularly

• Establish a central point of contact

• Establish a meeting point in case communications are down

• Know evacuation routes and community shelter locations

• Give each family member an emergency duty

• Consider special needs for elderly or disabled family members and pets

• Maintain a medical history sheet for every family member

4. Keep Your Community Prepared

Natural disasters will affect many people throughout your community, so make sure everyone is prepared and knows what to do.

• Know emergency protocol

• Establish community leaders

• Know all emergency contact numbers

• Make sure local government has a recovery plan for food, shelter and restrooms

Being prepared for disaster is a key benefit of working with Mobile Kitchens USA. Our mobile kitchens are a much-needed disaster recovery solution. If you work for your city, ensure your community is prepared by having a mobile kitchen available. Contact us for more details.