by Jane Yang
You never know what will happen. Disasters can hit us without any warning. It could be a power outage, or a natural disaster such as a hurricane, tornado, and earthquake. It could be a toxic spill, or the emission of biological warfare fumes. You could lose your house in a fire. It is important to plan your food and water needs for any emergency or disaster. Are you prepared?
If you can afford to do so, it would be wise to build yourself an emergency shelter for that time of need. This emergency shelter should be made of solid concrete or steel. The doors and windows should have an airtight seal around them when closed. In addition, you should add a protective seal over the inside of the windows, in case of possible glass breakage. It should also contain shelving with doors which will help prevent water damage for dry stored food in the case of flooding or severe weather. In addition, is better to have these shelves at least three feet off the ground. This would be in case of a minor flood.
If you cannot afford to build an emergency shelter, a basement would work in most cases (except for an earthquake). You can prepare a basement the same way as the shelter above.
It is so manifestly incompatible with those precautions for our peace and safety, which all the great powers habitually observe and enforce in matters affecting them, that a shorter water way between our eastern and western seaboards should be dominated by any European government, that we may confidently expect that such a purpose will not be entertained by any friendly power.
—Benjamin Harrison (1833–1901)
In your basement or shelter you should include the following:
Plenty of food that will not spoil: It's best to store some food that will not spoil in case of a power outage. These types of foods can include dry goods such as cereal, tuna, canned soups, and fruits, peanut butter, jelly, canned spaghetti, canned stews, and others. Don't forget to include a can opener and utensils. If there's room, store some paper plates, cups and towels. Paper plates and cups will not need to be washed but you may find it a better solution to store one plate and cup for each member in the household.
If you do have some refrigerated and frozen food, eat that first and save the dry food for last. Also, you can use the frozen food to keep your refrigerator cooler longer. This will help you keep your food safe to eat for a longer period of time. Battery operated refrigerators are available as are generators.
Set up alternative energy sources. You would be wise to set up alternative energy sources. These will be useful when you do not have any electricity or gas to heat with. Keep handy battery operated cooking devices, matches, firewood, and other alternative energy sources to cook and heat with. However you must be sure that the energy sources that you use are safe enough. For example, if your shelter has a wood burning stove, it should be properly ventilated. In case of a war, it is best to use battery operated cooking equipment. That way, the enemy cannot track you down. Don't forget to pack some flashlights. These come in handy whenever you need a smaller light source.
Milton says, that the lyric poet may drink wine and live generously, but the epic poet, he who shall sing of the gods, and their descent unto men, must drink water out of a wooden bowl. For poetry is not “Devil’s wine,” but God’s wine.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Store an adequate water supply. It is recommended to store at least a few weeks worth of water supply to clean, cook and bathe with. You can purchase water in bottles, or even buy water in dispensers. In addition, you could install a pump. Water is something a person can only live without for no more than three days, so it is important that you keep enough water for every person in your household.
If you cannot afford to build an emergency shelter, you can create an alternative plan. First, you can store food and supplies at another emergency location, such as a friend or relative's house. Then, you can also register your name at a public shelter far enough away from the disaster location. These places usually have food and water provided, as well as water for cleanliness needs. If you decide to stay at an emergency shelter, make sure you have working transportation. Also, plan the shortest route to that place. Yet, make sure that the shelter is far enough away from the source of the disaster.
Stay tuned to local TV and Radio stations for further information. Local media can help instruct you on how to be prepared for a disaster.
Keeping informed, and being prepared in case of an emergency can save you and your family's life.