social

Preparing For Emergency Situations


Bronze Craft Medal for All Time! 52 Crafts
August 30, 2011

I have moved several times but have lived in three states for the majority of my years. Being born and raised in Connecticut, I moved to Kansas when I was a young adult. Many states are prone to certain types of weather. In the Midwest, that would be tornados. Since you can not change the weather, the next wisest thing to do is to educate oneself about the best course of action. If you are prepared ahead of time and know what to do, you are able to handle a situation a lot better.

Advertisement

After more than ten years in Kansas, I moved to Florida to be closer to family. I had the knowledge of tornados after all that time but now I was faced in having to educate myself about hurricanes. This is a story to share some tips and information about emergencies that I have learned and experienced over the years. I had to actually put these to test. When each time was over and done, I was sure glad that I took the time to do what I did. I hope that they will work for you and should the time ever arise, which I hope it never does, that it will relieve some pressure and stress for you also.

Many people who live in hurricane areas do certain similar things. One of those being that we never tend to "over shop" in groceries during hurricane season. If you have ever experienced losing a full freezer and fridge of meat/food after the power goes out, you know exactly what I mean. Another common thing you will find in most Floridian homes is an emergency box. In it you would find things such as non perishable foods, water, flashlights, batteries, radio, etc. The idea is to have this supply already on hand and ready to grab, in case of an emergency.

Advertisement

Stores are almost non existent during a disaster or emergency. Even if you can find one open, they are usually out of most everything. The last thing one wants to find themselves doing during a time like that is searching for supplies. This is a wise thing to do no matter the area you live in. We never know what Mother Nature will bring our way or any other kind of emergency that can occur.

If you are like me and do not have a photographic mind, here is a great tip that has proved it's worth to me in the past. Try this test. Without looking, can you name every card that is in your wallet including account #'s, license #'s, pin #'s, expiration dates and customer service phone numbers? If not, you are not alone. Most people can't. Unfortunately, we don't realize how important it is to know this information until it is too late.

Advertisement

Here is a tip on what to do to prevent this. Take every important card, including your driver's license and photo copy both fronts and backs. Write notes next to each of any information not already printed on the card, such as customer service phone numbers and mailing addresses. If you ever get a new card, photocopy it and add it to these records. Keep it all updated and current. Keep these along with other valuable papers in a portable file.

A blue expandable file box for important paperwork.
 

If you ever have to experience a disaster or emergency, just the fact that it is occuring will be enough for you to deal with. Being able to grab a portable file that contains all your important papers will get you out of the door much faster. This is also a wise thing to do in case your wallet is ever lost or stolen. Under the best of circumstances, it is hard to recall everything you carry in your wallet and all the information on each. If you are ever in a stressful situation, it will be near impossible.

Advertisement

Time is of the essence when you have to contact all these companies to inform them of your lost cards. Trying to locate all this information in a hurry is the last thing you will want to do but having it all together and knowing where it is, will help immensely during this time. I have had to evacuate my home 3 times due to a hurricane, a tornado and a wild fire. Since I have these things in one place, I was able to grab them quickly and be gone in just a matter of minutes.

Another tip that has served me well is that I do not sign the backs of any credit or bank card. Instead write, "SEE PHOTO ID". The best thing you can hope for is that every clerk will ask to see your license. I am always grateful and thank every clerk who asks to see mine. The more we have to prove who we are, the less chance there is for someone else to be able to use your card. I recently requested a new debit card from my bank when I saw that they were offering ones that have your picture on it. The harder we can make it for thieves to use, the better!

Advertisement

No one wants to experience an emergency or disaster but the more prepared and informed we are, the easier it is for one to get through it. These times cause much stress and when you can just go to one area to retrieve what you need, the easier it will be on you.

God bless you all and keep you safe.

By Mary from Palm Coast, FL

Do you have a frugal story to share with the ThriftyFun community? Submit your essay here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_myfrugallife.ldml

Read More Comments

5 More Solutions

This page contains the following solutions.

Kelly Ann Butterbaugh
April 4, 2006

People hate to think about negative things happening, but it's a fact of life that they happen. The more people prepare for unfortunate events the less stressful these times will be.

Advertisement

Here are five simple things that you probably aren't doing but need to be.

 
Read More...

Kelly Ann Butterbaugh
August 19, 2006

In follow up to the article, "Five Things You Should Be Doing but Probably Aren't" here are four additional tasks that help to prepare for unforeseen events. With a little time invested now, we can avoid hassles in our future. Take the time to complete the tasks that should be done but most likely aren't.

 
Read More...

December 23, 2015

After Katrina hit the south, emergency personnel asked everyone to program ICE, as a contact in their phone (In Case of Emergency).

 

July 19, 2013

Every adult should have a signed advance health directive so doctors know who to contact in case the person can no longer make their own health care decisions.

 
Read More...

November 7, 2020

There's a new guy in my trunk...BOB (Bug Out Box). There is no way to miss what Oregon and Washington is going through right now. I came up with something that will help me, and perhaps you, sleep better at night. A bug out box. Here is why we need one. We may only have two minutes to get out..

Making an Emergency Bug Out Box

Categories
Home and Garden Emergency AdviceJuly 22, 2013
Pages
More
🍀
St. Patrick's Ideas!
🎂
Birthday Ideas!
💘
Valentine's Ideas!
Facebook
Pinterest
YouTube
Instagram
Categories
Better LivingBudget & FinanceBusiness and LegalComputersConsumer AdviceCoronavirusCraftsEducationEntertainmentFood and RecipesHealth & BeautyHolidays and PartiesHome and GardenMake Your OwnOrganizingParentingPetsPhotosTravel and RecreationWeddings
Published by ThriftyFun.
Desktop Page | View Mobile
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Contact Us
Generated 2024-01-24 11:46:19 in 12 secs. ⛅️️
© 1997-2024 by Cumuli, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
https://www.thriftyfun.com/Preparing-For-Emergency-Situations.html