Being caught off guard in the case of a natural disaster or sudden power or water outage may not only be inconvenient, it may also be devastating and costly. Being properly prepared for the what if’s may come in handy and be potentially life-saving in the case of an emergency.
Following is a list of must-haves.
Flashlight and batteries. Make sure you have multiple heavy duty flashlights on hand for short-term and long-term power outages.
Tarps. Tarps come in different strengths and sizes and can be used for various applications such as securing items that may become airborne.
At least four jugs of water. In the case of a power outage, there will come a point when toilets will no longer be able to flush and water will drain from faucets. Having water on hand for these necessities will come in handy.
More than one source of communication.Have the ability to communicate and call for help in various ways. For example, be sure to have both a landline and cellphone in case one goes down. Back up for Wi-Fi connections. Also, consider purchasing a portable, battery-operated radio that will inform you of important updates.
Generators. Whether it is a standby generator or one that is portable, a generator will make life more tolerable.
A quality roof. Make sure your roof is in top condition. Roofs are one of the main sources of water entry into a home during a storm.
Storm doors. Storm doors aren’t just decorative, they also help keep rain, wind and other elements from penetrating entry points to your home.
Strong windows. If your windows aren’t storm-ready, replace them.
Chainsaws. A chainsaw can be a vital piece of equipment for clean up.
Tools. Nothing beats having a good set of tools, a must any time of the year. Hammers, screwdrivers and drills are the basics.