| Being prepared for a natural disaster can make | | | | You'll potentially save yourself a lot of trouble if |
| the difference between life and death. Yet most | | | | you store copies of all important documents in a |
| people spend almost no time preparing for such | | | | location away from your home. Records such as |
| an event. Here are a few simple things you can | | | | birth certificates, insurance policies, deeds, etc., are |
| do to help increase both your survival during and | | | | items you should consider for storing a copy |
| comfort after a natural disaster. | | | | off-site. |
| First, check your house for any top-heavy items, | | | | You should also educate yourself about certain |
| such as water heaters, book shelves, etc., and | | | | things before a disaster strikes. For example, your |
| strap or bolt them down to prevent them from | | | | family should have a clear evacuation plan that |
| tipping over. If you store heavy objects in | | | | includes what to do if an evacuation needs to |
| cabinets or shelves, put them on the bottom | | | | happen while the family is split up. This should |
| shelf, along with other objects that might break if | | | | include a relocation plan that outlines how family |
| they fall. Keep flammable material properly labeled | | | | members will get back together if separated |
| and away from matches or other ignition sources. | | | | during a disaster. |
| Your home should have at least one fire | | | | Finally, having a first aid kit is always a good idea. |
| extinguisher. Make sure it is properly rated and | | | | Become familiar with its contents and how to |
| tagged, and that each family member knows how | | | | take care of common injuries. Doing these few |
| and when to use it properly. You should, of | | | | simple things can make a huge difference for you |
| course, have properly functioning smoke | | | | and your family should a natural disaster or |
| detectors on all levels of your home and carbon | | | | emergency occur. It's a great investment of your |
| monoxide detectors if you have a fire place or | | | | time that you'll hope you'll never need! |
| wood burning stove. | | | | |