| Although we may have some warning when a | | | | fortunate. |
| disaster is approaching, the news never reports | | | | One way we can show that we appreciate our |
| on the damages we could experience. Because of | | | | lives is for us to take the proper measures to be |
| that, we need to take appropriate measures to | | | | prepared in case a disaster strikes in our area. |
| prepare us for a catastrophic event. | | | | Since the tragic event on 9-11, emergency |
| Let's take a look at Haiti: | | | | preparedness has been a big topic, in the |
| As many as three million people may be affected | | | | workplace, governmental agencies, airport and |
| by the catastrophic earthquake that hit the | | | | alike. |
| Caribbean island on January 12, 2010. The pictures | | | | What we do not and should not neglect is the |
| and news of the disaster were heartbreaking. It's | | | | need to be prepared in our homes with our family. |
| even more tragic, because Haiti is no stranger to | | | | Having a disaster aid kit, emergency route, or |
| disastrous events. | | | | evacuation plan, is something we should not take |
| In August 2009, Haiti was hit by Hurricane | | | | lightly. Who knows how long it can take help to |
| Gustav, barely a week later, Haiti was hit again, | | | | arrive, in some cases, it can take days or even |
| by hurricane Hanna. By the end of the tropical | | | | weeks before help arrives. |
| storm season, the impoverished country was a | | | | What about resources, such as water and food? |
| billion dollars poorer. More than 1,100 people were | | | | One thing all emergency plans will have outlined is |
| dead or missing. Thousands were without shelter | | | | to have a kit available, so whether you are at |
| and food. | | | | home, in the car, or at the office, you have |
| Natural disasters are real and will destroy. What | | | | access to essential resources to cover you until |
| are you doing to prepare if disaster strikes in | | | | they can be restored. |
| your area? What happened in Haiti was | | | | There are companies out there that put together |
| devastating and should be a wake-up call for all of | | | | disaster aid kits and can customize based on your |
| us to prepare as much as possible for the | | | | needs, family size, etc. If you are not sure what |
| unexpected. | | | | to put into your kit, consult these professional |
| Our heart can go out to the people of Haiti, but | | | | companies so they can help you be prepared for |
| the reality of the matter is that we have no idea | | | | disaster in your area. |
| what they are experiencing. That is why it is | | | | Sometimes we have no warning when disaster |
| important for us to keep in mind how good our | | | | strikes, so why not be prepared? Be sure to |
| lives are and that there are others that are less | | | | have a survival kit for your family! |