Disaster Preparedness Month: Ensuring safety during natural disasters
Disaster Preparedness Month is held every September in the United States. It aims to remind and encourage people about the importance of being prepared for natural disasters and emergencies such as wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornadoes. In Florida, hurricanes are a particular concern due to the state’s geographic location and susceptibility to intense storm systems. Despite it being a common natural diaster, residents still need to prepare accordingly since these storms can cause significant damage and pose serious threats to life and property. Having hurricane proof windows and emergency kits are some ways to equip yourself in advance, here’s how.
1. Ensure that you have a well-stocked emergency kit
This is a crucial step in disaster preparedness. An effective emergency kit should include a variety of non-perishable food items that can last several days, such as canned goods, granola bars, dried fruits, and nuts. Additionally, a vital rule is to have at least one gallon of water per person per day for drinking and sanitation, with enough to last at least three days. Make sure to also include bandages, antiseptics, gloves, tweezers, scissors, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, tissues, and a first aid manual. Don’t forget to stock on prescription medications for at least a week, along with over-the-counter medicines like pain relievers, antacids, and anti-diarrheal medications.
Basic tools such as a flashlight, batteries, a multi-tool, matches, and a manual can opener for food are necessary for practical needs. A battery-powered or hand-crank radio is essential to stay informed about emergency updates, and having a fully charged mobile phone with a backup power bank ensures communication capabilities. Other important things to consider include extra clothing, blankets, sleeping bags, copies of important documents like insurance policies, and having small bills and coins on hand. By preparing an emergency kit with these essential items, you can ensure that you and your family are better equipped to handle the disaster and can remain self-sufficient until help arrives.
2. Reinforce your home’s safety
Implementing measures to strengthen your home against hurricane damage is essential for ensuring safety and minimizing property loss. Important actions include reinforcing windows and securing roofs to withstand high winds and flying debris. Reinforcing windows, particularly with hurricane-proof models, can significantly reduce the risk of shattered glass and structural damage. Similarly, ensuring that roofs are securely fastened and using hurricane straps or clips can help keep the roof intact during powerful storms.
Hurricane-proof windows are a crucial element in home safety, providing robust protection against the intense forces of a hurricane. However, it’s important to note that you cannot install these windows during a hurricane, so the best strategy is to prepare ahead of time. Investing in high-performance impact resistant windows well before hurricane season can ensure that your home is adequately protected when a storm does strike. At EGS INTERNATIONAL our windows are simple to maintain, certified for high-velocity hurricane zones, and are turtle code approved. By taking these proactive measures, you can ensure the safety of your property and family from the devastating effects of hurricanes.
Disaster Preparedness Month serves as a crucial reminder of how important it is to be prepared for emergencies and natural disasters. If you live in Florida, it’s important to take preventative measures to safeguard life and property due to the regular threat of hurricanes. By assembling a comprehensive emergency kit and reinforcing home safety with hurricane-proof windows you can mitigate the risks posed by these powerful storms. Preparing in advance with reliable, high-performance products from trusted providers like EGS International ensures that when disaster strikes, you and your family are equipped to handle the challenges and stay safe.
