I know we’ve all probably had enough of all this talk about emergencies, preparation etc. but, I have a few more suggestions about this topic and then I’ll move on. I promise.
Why keep harping on this? With the crazy weather all over the globe, we need to be prepared so that next time, when there is a next time, we’re ready. This doesn’t mean that our houses or businesses won’t burn or flood. It means that if/when that happens, we’ll be in a better position to handle it.
Like so many others in Los Angeles, I have a few friends/colleagues/clients that lived in Malibu and Pacific Palisades that were affected by the fires. One, in particular, was really difficult to hear about and this is why: Because he was used to evacuations from other fires in his neighborhoods over the years, he assumed that this one would be the same as the others. He figured that he’d be out of the house for a few days and return home when the dust settled just like the previous times he’d been evacuated. So, instead of grabbing what he needed and what he had already prepared for, he left those things behind and just grabbed a few days of clothes and toiletries.
The thing is…he had his important documents together. He had the family’s memorabilia all in one easily accessible place. He also had a “to go” bag which is thankfully what he wound up taking. But that’s all he took. The other things he’d spent time thinking about and preparing “just in case” were left behind.
My message here is, as we already know, that we should not “assume”. Ya never know what’s going to happen. But…we can be and should be prepared as best we can. Here’s some more suggestions as to how we can be better prepared:
Be proactive instead of reactive:
- Remove dry brush around the perimeter of your property
- Have your “stuff” packed and ready to go (See Newsletter from January- https://organizingconceptsanddesigns.com/better-late-than-never-part-i/
If you don’t already know what to do before you leave your home in an emergency, here are some tips:
- Turn off the gas
- Leave a ladder outside
- Turn off the A/C and Heat
- Leave some lights turned on
- Lock the doors
More things to consider:
- If it is a fire, consider leaving buckets of water outside the perimeter for first responders and connect water hoses
- If it is a flood, have sand bags ready to block entrances from water
- If it’s an earthquake, have an emergency kit available which should include a first aid kit
Please remember that when the next emergency arises, (notice I did NOT say “if”) don’t assume that you’ll have access to your home or your belongings for a while. Take what you need! You can always unpack it all if you’re lucky enough to return to your home.