Ask yourself – would you be prepared if a natural disaster struck in your hometown? Would you be prepared if your access to food and water were cut off for an undetermined amount of time? The truth is – many of us are not.
Everyone, no matter where they live, should have some sort of plan in place to ensure their safety in case of a storm or natural disaster.
A local news station in Houston, Texas asked their viewers what they were doing to prepare themselves for impeding storms. Not only did some offer some usual disaster-prep tips, many offered unique and helpful ideas that you may not have heard of. Here are some of the best ones.
1. Freeze an ample amount of water bottles
Making sure you’re stocked up on frozen water bottles is good for when the electricity goes out in your home. During a power outage, you can use the water bottles to keep your food cool in both your freezer and refrigerator.
“Freeze a lot and pack your fridges and freezer tight with stuff. The more packed it is, the less room there is for warmer air to start circulating, keeping it cool longer. We usually consolidate our inside and outside freezers and just use the extra one for freezing more ice for ice chests,” suggests Houston resident Bobbie Byrd.
2. Freeze water-filled Ziploc bags
If water bottles aren’t at your disposal, you can also use Ziploc or zippered plastic bags instead. Just fill them with tap water and freeze them like you would the water bottles – just make sure to lay the bag flat.
“I fill gallon freezer bags with water and freeze them flat. It makes a large chunk of ice that works well too,” recommended Jennifer Sisco.
3. Fill your bathtub with water
During heavy storms, there can end up being issues with your plumbing. The National Weather Service recommends filling your tub with water if you know a storm is coming. This water can be used to flush a toilet, wash dishes, or even drink if you needed to.
4. Prep your laundry before a storm
If you know a big storm is headed your direction, be sure to do all of your laundry in the days before, if possible. If your power ends up going out for a significant amount of time, you’ll at least know that you have clean clothes and underwear.
5. Have empty plastic bins ready
In times of emergency, you may need to flee your house in a hurry. Make sure to have a couple of plastic bins empty and ready to throw necessities into, or if you live in an earthquake-prone area, you should have these prepped and ready to go at any moment.
6. Fill up your gas tank
If you do have to leave your house, always make sure your gas tank in your car is full. Prepare your vehicle for a potentially long drive (including food and water inside) without potential access to gas stations.
Learn more about how to prepare yourself for a storm, disaster, or emergency in the helpful video below. There’s no such thing as “over-preparation” when it comes to you and your family’s safety.
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