An Ounce of Preparation is Worth a Pound of Cure!

According to federal statistics, one in 250 homeowners will be involved in an emergency evacuation within the next five years. It could be weather-related, a wildfire, or a man-made disaster.

Whatever the crisis may be, Hikingware.com recommends you prepare ahead of time for disaster. Waiting until the last minute could be costly in more ways than one!

When the safety of your family and home is compromised by a disaster, planning can make all the difference in the outcome. Here are four things you can do to prepare for an emergency:

1. Talk with your family and develop an evacuation and communication plan. Choose a nearby landmark as a meeting spot in the event you need to leave your home in a hurry. Identify emergency contacts, including an out-of-town emergency contact to call in the event you get separated. Establish a home evacuation plan by identifying escape routes and designate responsibilities to assist with children, seniors, disabled adults and pets.

2. Assemble a basic emergency kit that includes water, food, a radio, flashlights, first-aid supplies and extra batteries. Your disaster kit should contain enough supplies to sustain you and your family for at least 72 hours. Make copies of important papers - such as the deed to your home and proof of insurance - and keep them in a fire-proof container. Utilities such gas, water, electricity and waste treatment may be unavailable for a long duration following a disaster. You can prepare for any service outages by investing in items like water barrels and filters, generators, safes, hand sanitizer and emergency blankets.

3. It's better to be safe than sorry, so be prepared for the worst. Before disaster strikes, decide what threats you are most likely to face and take precautions. Consider your home and your neighborhood, and discuss possible scenarios and responses with your family so that everyone knows how to respond to any type of emergency. If your home is more vulnerable to certain types of disasters, take proactive measures to protect it such as anchoring heavy household objects, purchasing flood insurance or investing in a new roof to protect your home.

4. Keep your cool. Preparing for an emergency will help you remain calm in the event of a real one. Be sure to regularly review disaster plans and practice emergency drills with your family. While it is impossible to predict an emergency, preparation and effective communication planning will help you handle any imminent emergencies best.