Whether there’s an unexpected storm, power outage, earthquake, or flood, preparing for emergencies can help keep you and your family safe.
Photo by Yosh Ginsu
If you find yourself worrying about wildfires, tsunamis, or other natural disasters, preparing can help you stay safe and calm.
The Gospel Topics section of LDS.org teaches that “preparation, both spiritual and temporal, can dispel fear. . . . With the guidance of Church leaders, individuals and families should prepare to be self-reliant in times of personal and widespread tragedy.”
The article suggests six steps to prepare for emergencies:
- Make an emergency plan
Decide how you will communicate and where you will meet if disaster strikes. - Build a three-month supply of food
Try stocking up on a few extra items every time you go shopping. Here are some tips for building up your food storage. - Store drinking water
Water is a precious resource. Here are some ideas on how to collect and safely store water for extended periods of time. - Prepare a financial reserve
One of the best ways to prepare for hardship is to stay out of debt and keep an emergency fund. Here are some tips on how to start paying off debt and saving a few dollars every month. - Save important documents
Make sure your important documents—from family photos to birth certificates—are easily available if you need to evacuate your home. - Collect medication and first aid supplies
Make a first aid kit, including medications that you may need in case you can’t get prescriptions refilled.
Read the full article, “Emergency Preparedness.”
Source: Gospel Topics on LDS.org
—Angela Marler, Mormon Insights
Photo by Michael J. Moeller
Emergency preparedness is my last priority, just because it seems impossible. This was a great list of very doable steps we can take.