Earthquake 101: Getting Prepared

In light of what has happened at Haiti, we can all see how devastating an earthquake can be. You may be asking yourself, "How do I get prepared for a quake if I don't know that it's coming? There are some steps that you can take to make your home a little safer in the event that a quake occurs.
First, secure all high heavy furniture to a wall; be sure that it is secured into a stud in the wall. If it's not secured into a stud it will topple over. Ensure that heavy furniture is not in a position where it could fall onto a bed. If a quake occurs while you are in bed, you do not want your bookcase falling on you. Secure all heavy pictures into a stud, and do not hang them above beds, couches, or anyplace else that someone may be sitting. Check and repair deep cracks in ceilings, chimneys, and foundations. This is especially vital after a quake. If you see and damage that you are unable to repair, consult a professional. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Ensure that you have no gas leaks in or around your home. Secure all flammable materials. Tightly secure your water heater.

Have at least two weeks worth of survivalist food. Ensure that everything is properly stored. Remember that survival food storage is very important.

Have your disaster plan in place. Know where to meet your family, and set up an out of town contact. Have your bug out bags packed and ready to grab should the need arise. Run drills with your family at least twice a year. This will ensure that everyone know what to do/

Coming Soon: Earthquake 101: During the Quake

For more emergency preparedness tips visit http://www.budgetsurvival.net/


Posted via web from Budget Survival

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Melissa Van Horn is a work from home, homeschool mom. She has spent several years and several thousand dollars searching for the perfect home based business. She has finally found that with Ameriplan®. She has a passion for sharing her experiences with others through Examiner. In addition to running her Ameriplan® business, Melissa has a Barefoot Books business and does freelance writing for several clients.Melissa can be contacted here.
                                                                                                                      

Weathering Danger: Tips for Severe Storm Preparedness

(NewsUSA) - When a major storm is forecast to arrive in your town, proper preparation is vital for staying safe and protecting your property. But despite the significant damage that can be caused by hurricanes and other severe storms, many citizens still fail to adequately prepare themselves. The time to be prepared is before the storm, and preferably before the warning. Budget Survival has tips for getting prepared on a budget.
According to a poll by the American Red Cross, 60 percent of Americans have made no specific hurricane evacuation plans and 73 percent have not practiced a family disaster plan, or survival checklist.

But make no mistake: Preparedness is key to weathering the worst natural disasters. Keep the following tips in mind the next time a major storm is on its way:

* Stay informed. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric weather radio station is one resource for emergency information, and some municipalities have also adopted a type of mass notification system called IRIS, short for Immediate Response Information System (www.useiris.com).

When an emergency situation occurs, the IRIS system automatically delivers information to thousands of citizens via multiple means such as cell phone, e-mail, PDA and pager. The system can communicate to citizens in more than 10 languages, so successful contact is virtually guaranteed. Ask your local government officials if your county has already adopted the IRIS system and, if not, consider encouraging local authorities to do so.

* Map it out. Become familiar with alternate routes out of your area. Be especially familiar with the higher-elevation sections of your town. These areas are less prone to flooding.

* Maintain your yard. Keeping your yard up to par doesn't just impress your neighbors; it can also prevent damage to your house in the case of high-wind storms. Be sure to keep all shrubs and trees well-trimmed. If any branches look as though they could break off and do damage to your home, cut them down.

* Keep fuel in your gas tank. Just in case of a possible evacuation, keep at least half a tank of fuel in your car at all times. This is a good rule of thumb to bear in mind during the entire hurricane season or any other period of frequent storms. It is also recommended to keep a survival tin in your vehicle, in the event you are out when disaster occurs and unable to make it back to your home.

* Make a visual record. Take thorough photographs of your home, both inside and out. Having a visual record of your house and its possessions can be of the utmost importance for insurance purposes.

* Keep a supply of water and survivalist food in your home. Remember, survival food storage is very important. Do not store in an area where the temperature changes frequently.