If you live in an area where wildfires are common, then you know about the devastating effects that these fires can have to life, land and property. Even if you aren’t in an area where wildfires are common, there are two things you need to be aware of.
Firstly, wildfires are becoming more common in new areas because of climate change and cultural changes, and secondly, fire is devastating. Most fire related damage can be avoided, but you need to know what to do should you be affected.
Background: Is The Sky Falling?
Recent fires in California and Utah are just a few examples of wildfires that caused havoc despite being “controlled.” Think about how much it costs to buy an acre of land where you live. Think about how many houses are on eighty acres of land. Now imagine the catastrophic damage to the local area if all those acres instantly went up in smoke. Literally. That’s what wildfire does.
You don’t have to worry about global warming debates. You don’t have to be a conspiracy theorist or think the world is going to end to know that wildfires, or even house fires, can happen. You don’t have to be an insane person from Preppers to do something to help improve your odds of surviving a disaster.
Why You Need To Be Prepared
When most people think of disaster preparedness, they think of buying a bunker and stocking it with MRE’s and living in Alaska when the zombie apocalypse comes and civil war breaks out. Most preppers can’t run half a mile, but own hundreds of guns and thousands of rounds of ammo.
What they don’t realise is that most disasters aren’t the end of the world… unless you are one of the few people affected. Fires are the most common disasters that can affect a family. Losing your job is another temporary disaster that you’ll be affected by. According to a recent blog post by Extra Space Storage you can practice for both of these emergencies without spending a lot of money. And you should. The government couldn’t respond to massive disasters like Hurricane Katrina – how quickly do you think they can help you when you’re just one in three hundred million people?
What Can I Do To Be Prepared?
The first step to survival preparedness is to get a pen and a notepad. It’s that simple. You’re going to write down over the course of the day everything you and your family need to survive. Not your TV. Not your family photos. Those are lovely, but your life is more important.
Next, write down the most likely causes of disaster. Don’t put down things like “Nuclear War” or “Godzilla,” put down things that are realistic. House fire. Earthquake. Hurricane. Only put them down if they affect you… for instance, flooding won’t apply if you live on top of a mountain.
Then think about what you need to save, and get it ready. In the event of a house fire, you want to be able to grab your stuff and have everything you need on the way out. Most people die because they go back into the house or they can’t get out in time. Practice with your children. Make sure you have a bag with important document copies, and you can all get out in less than 60 seconds. Remember, practice makes perfect. Not expensive survival gear. Knowledge and practice.
