Now that we have the house ready, it’s time to get ourselves ready for disaster.
Have you ever thought of what you would need to grab on your way out if the house was on fire? What about the off chance of a tornado? Do you know where all the important things are, and are they easily accessible? It’s one thing to know where everything is, but another to be able to grab everything in under a minute.
I know, you hear it over and over, keep your important documents in a fire proof safe, keep extra food stored away for times of emergency, get your emergency pack ready, but you know what, it is important to have those things set in place. We never know when disaster is going to strike, we can never fully be prepared but we can try to be and try to limit the amount of loss we endure.
Life isn’t predictable, but by following these few steps it can help you make the most of the little time we get from the time disaster strikes to the time we need to be out of the house.
1. Prep a to go Bag
There are obviously some things that you grab last minute, but having the essentials prepared is the key to saving time. So what do we put in these bags?
I recommend going with either A. a waterproof backpack/ duffle bag so that it is easy to carry or B. a plastic tote.
3 days’ worth of food and water-make sure the food is non-perishable, canned food, crackers, peanut butter, dried fruit, granola bars etc. Also make sure you have a can opener for those canned foods, you would not want to be without one.
Batteries-keep them in a sealed plastic bag, you do not want them to get wet in the event of rain or flooding.
Flashlight and radio- these can be a crank, solar or battery powered. Here is an ideal one that charges phones too! https://amzn.to/2EZF7gU
Whistle- you never know where you might end up and having a loud source of noise can help you be found in times of trouble.
Trash Bags, duct tape, dust masks- All three of these items will come in handy, whether it’s for shelter, safety or clothing.
Cellphone chargers- if you can find them, go for solar powered chargers like these: https://amzn.to/2Jb8ZcF
Pet Items- do you have a pet? They need food and water too, and a leash. Make sure everyone in the house has something in that bin/bag.
Clothing- Even if you have a few sweater or sweatpants it makes a difference when you leave the house in your PJs, especially in the middle of winter, or this weird spring we are currently having in Southern Ontario.
Blanket- same idea as the clothing, but it can also be used as ground cover, shelter, evacuation and for warmth.
Maps- especially if you are new to an area
Cash- have about $150 on hand, it can help pay for a taxi, food, protection. It’s a good thing to have on you.
First Aid Kit- This you can buy or make yourself. Make sure it has the essentials; bandages of various sizes, a wrap or sling, tape, gauze, some kind of ointment, safety pins, alcohol wipes, scissors, and some medications like Aspirin and Ibuprofen. This pack is great for emergencies: https://amzn.to/2EY8sZa
Now that our bag is ready to go, it’s time to get those special things ready.
2. Documents- Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates, SIN cards, Passports, health cards and other important papers should be kept in a safe area. If you desire, they can go in a fireproof safe or in a file folder with designated sections for each family member. Some of these items may need to be copied and put in the folder like a health card or drivers licence, it’s good practice to have a copy of these important items. Making and ICE (In Case of Emergency) binder is also a great idea, even if there isn’t an emergency, if something were to happen to you it could help your family out:
Personal – Marriage license, birth certificates, social security cards, passports, copies of drivers licenses, health and life insurance info, and medical contacts/info
Financial – Checking, savings and investment account numbers and log-ins
Insurance – Policy numbers, company names and contact info
Home/Auto – Titles, vehicle and household bill info
Retirement – Policy numbers, company names and contact info
Business Info – Log-ins, passwords, etc.
3. Inventory- This also another great practice to have for your house. Take pictures of the rooms in your house and if you have receipts for those items keep them with the pictures. In the event of an emergency, or break in this can help you get the most back from your insurance company.
4. Digital Back Up- Once a month I like to back up my laptop onto an external hard drive. It’s great to do so you can save all those files, but its also more practical to have all your pictures on a little box than to carry your laptop or photo albums around when leaving an emergency. I keep my external drive with my emergency file so that everything is together.
5. Keep Sake Box- do you have some special things that you like to hold onto? Keep them in a small box so that you can take these items with you. Of course, you can’t carry your entire house with you so keep only those special items in the box.
Well, now your house should be in order and you should be ready to go as soon as disaster strikes. Stay tuned for the final post in this series for how to stay organized now that your house is gone.
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