Disaster Preparedness: 6 Tips To Protect Your Family, Home, and Peace of Mind

As too many families have found in the past few years, disasters can turn lives upside down in an instant. But even with all the news reports of devastating weather and other catastrophic events around the country, 54 percent of Americans admit they aren’t ready for an emergency, according to a recent survey, and 38 percent say they don’t have a fully stocked disaster kit. Whether the event is a hurricane, earthquake, tornado, fire, or extended power outage, disaster preparedness is the key to staying safe and healthy.

This guide walks you through the steps to take to protect your family, safeguard your home, and get the essentials together before disaster strikes.

6 Steps To Become a Disaster Preparedness Pro

The best time to get ready for a natural disaster is well before your phone starts buzzing with emergency alerts. Use these 6 steps as a starting point for getting ready, and then tailor them to fit the risks, needs, and evacuation requirements of your household.

1. Identify the Most Likely Disasters for Your Area

Your location should shape your disaster preparedness plan. Coastal communities may face natural disasters like hurricanes, tsunamis, or storm surge, while inland areas are more vulnerable to tornadoes, floods, wildfires, and events like extreme heat or winter snowstorms. If you live in California, earthquakes may be top of mind when you consider natural disaster preparedness.

Knowledge is key to disaster preparedness. If you’ve just moved to a new city or state, research the potential hazards to make sure you’re ready for the right event. Find out from local and state emergency resources whether your home is prone to extended power outages, located in a flood zone, or in a high-risk wildfire area, and note the evacuation routes to get to safety quickly.

Make sure everyone in your home understands the disaster preparedness plan.

2. Create a Family Disaster Preparedness Plan

A disaster preparedness plan should address the immediate aftermath of an emergency. How will we meet? Where should we go if we need to evacuate? Here’s a quick guide to getting ready.

Establish Meeting Spots at Home and Out of Town

Ready.gov recommends selecting a series of designated emergency meeting places as part of your natural disaster preparedness plan:

• At home, in case of events like tornadoes or winter storms, this could be a basement or small protected room away from windows and doors.  
• In your neighborhood, in case of a fire or other disaster that cuts off access to your home. This could be a library or community center.
• Out of town, in case you’re required to evacuate the area. Enlist a relative or family friend who’s willing to serve as the rendezvous spot.

Create a Communication Plan (Text, Don’t Call)

Cell phone networks can be easily overwhelmed in emergency situations, so it’s important to have a backup plan prepared to communicate with family members. Here are a few tips:

• Designate an out-of-state contact whom everyone can connect with if you get separated.
• Write down important phone numbers instead of relying on your phone’s contact list.
• Keep your text messages short to conserve your battery and avoid adding to network congestion.

Plan for Pets and Family Members With Medical Needs

Pet parents won’t need this reminder as part of their disaster preparedness plan, but just in case: Don’t forget the fur baby! Make sure leashes, vet records, meds, and the all-important treats and food are ready in a to-go bag. Before the emergency hits, it’s good to find pet-friendly hotels or accommodations, so you’ll know where to go without having to scramble at the last minute.

If you have an older family member who uses a wheelchair or has challenges getting around, make a plan in advance for their transportation to a safe place. In many cases, a local emergency shelter is a smart choice for seniors unable to travel on their own. Most states also have special needs shelters for residents who need supplemental oxygen or other ongoing medical attention. These facilities are staffed with nurses and, in most instances, secured by backup generators in the event of a power outage.

Seniors aren’t the only ones with medical needs, of course. Make sure everyone in your family has a steady supply of their regular medications (experts recommend at least a seven-day supply, just to be safe), and add OTC items that might come in handy — Tylenol, bandages and Neosporin, Tums, and an ice pack, for example.

Practice the Plan Twice a Year (at Least)

Do a dress rehearsal at least two times a year, and if your household changes — like when you move, get a roommate, adopt a pet, or have new medical needs. Running through your natural disaster preparedness steps together is much more effective than referring back to a folder that’s been gathering dust in the file cabinet. And remember to update your disaster preparedness kit, too, while you’re at it.

3. Build a Disaster Preparedness Kit

The right time to put together what you’ll need in an emergency is well before the emergency happens. A disaster preparedness kit should help you get through at least the first few days of an emergency when supermarkets and normal services may not be available. Here are some recommendations from the Red Cross:

• Water: one gallon per person per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
• Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prep items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
• Flashlight
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
• Extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Medications (at least 7-day supply) and medical items
• Multi-purpose tool
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Copies of personal documents and records (medication list, proof of address, deed/lease, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
• Cell phone with chargers
• Family and emergency contact information
• Extra cash
• Emergency blanket
• Maps of the area

This list is just a minimum. Think about potential natural disasters most likely to strike your area, and plan accordingly. Make sure to store your disaster preparedness kit somewhere easy to reach, and check it about every six months.

Smart disaster preparedness means mitigating possible damage before an emergency strikes.

4. Make Your Home Disaster-Ready

Smart disaster preparedness also means mitigating possible damage before an emergency strikes. Start with the basics: Know where your electrical panel and water shutoff are, and learn how to turn off utilities (ask your utility provider, if you’re unsure). Then focus on the hazards that might be common where you live:

• Earthquakes: Anchor tall furniture and appliances, install latches on drawers and cabinet doors.
• Tornadoes and hurricanes: Secure outdoor furniture (Floridian pro tip: Toss your patio furniture in the pool), make sure trees are maintained, consider installing storm shutters or plywood over windows and, sandbags, as needed.
• Floods: Keep gutters and drains clear, move valuable items and furniture to higher shelves or floors, install a basement sump pump.
• Wildfires: Remove dead leaves and other vegetation near the house, clear gutters and drains, trim brush and overhanging branches.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers a comprehensive guide to make sure you’re prepared for a natural disaster. Among their most important tips: If you use a portable generator, make sure to operate it outside and away from vents, doors, and windows to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. And finally, keep your insurance policies up to date. Review them every year to check limits, update your home inventory, and make sure you’re covered sufficiently in case of a natural disaster.

5. Sign Up To Receive the Emergency Alerts You Need, When You Need Them

Stay informed! Most cities, counties, and school systems have an easy “opt-in” sign-up process to receive alerts via email, text, or both. Many local governments also provide apps and post updates on platforms like Facebook and Instagram — but don’t rely on social media alone. Here are a few additional disaster preparedness resources:

• Wireless Emergency Alerts:
  • Government messages sent automatically to mobile phones
  • Info on imminent disasters — weather, public safety, etc.

• FEMA:
  • Real-time National Weather Service alerts for up to five U.S. locations
  • Info on local emergency shelters and disaster recovery centers
  • Emergency safety tips for 20+ types of disasters

• Red Cross:
  • Emergency app: Tips and tools
  • Hero Care app: Info and support for military members, veterans, and families
  • First Aid app: DIY tips in case of accident
• NOAA Weather Radio:
  • Regional and local forecasts
  • Weather alerts

6. What’s Next? Recovering From a Natural Disaster

If you evacuated due to a natural disaster, return home only after officials have given the all-clear. Even if the danger has passed, there may be non-obvious hazards like unstable structures, contaminated water, or electrical problems. Here are five things to do to start getting life back to normal:

• Document the damage to your home. Take photographs and video to give to your insurance company, and keep receipts for all disaster-related expenses and repairs.
• Seek assistance from local, state, and federal agencies. FEMA can help locate Disaster Recovery Centers and other resources.
• Check on your neighbors. Make sure older adults, in particular, have what they need.

To learn about the home restoration process, watch this video from U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and check the Healthy Homes toolkit and other resources about safely repairing damage to your home.

Disaster Preparedness — FAQs

Q: What are the five steps of disaster preparedness?
A: For disaster preparedness in your household, five basics to follow are:

• Know the risks in your area.
• Make a family emergency plan.
• Put together an emergency supply kit.
• Prepare your home.
• Sign up for emergency alerts.

Q: What are 10 items in a survival kit?
A: Here are ten key items to include in a 72-hour emergency kit: Water, non-perishable food, flashlights, extra batteries, radio, first-aid kit, medications, phone chargers, sanitation supplies, copies of important documents. (Don’t forget the pets, kids, and elderly relatives, too.)

Q: What are the 3 basic types of disaster preparedness?
A: If you had to remember just three elements of disaster preparedness, they are:

• Get prepared.
• Make a plan.
• Stay informed.

Q: How often should you update your emergency plan?
A: Review your disaster preparedness plan and your emergency kit at least twice a year and any time something in your household changes. Make sure to update emergency contacts, medications, and pet arrangements as needed.

You can store your portable container at a secure PODS Storage Center for as long as you need.

How PODS Helps With Disaster Preparedness and Recovery

When natural disasters — like floods and hurricanes — threaten your home, storing at-risk furniture and other household items away ahead of time can give you peace of mind, especially if you’re planning to evacuate. With PODS, you can load your belongings into a portable storage container on your property, and then have it transported to a secure PODS Storage Center until tornado or hurricane season has passed and you’re safely back in your home.

PODS can also help with recovery. While you assess damages and make repairs, you can keep a portable storage container in your driveway and use it to store furniture and other items during home remodeling. Before and after the storm, PODS storage solutions help make a difficult time a little less stressful.

Kristin Hanes is a freelance writer living in San Francisco. Her work has appeared in SF Gate, Marie Claire, and Realtor.com, among other publications.

(Source for image featured at top: Roger Brown via Pexels)

_{*This article was written on behalf of PODS Enterprises, LLC (“PODS”). PODS does not warrant the completeness or accuracy of any information contained in this article and disclaims any liability for reliance upon the content herein.}