People usually avoid contemplating the worst happening. However, it is essential to prepare your house for emergencies, as there will be times when the worst actually happens. Common emergencies and disasters can cause more damage to your home and family if you are not well prepared. This article will discuss national preparedness home tips you can consider for your safety.

1. Have an Emergency Kit Ready

A disaster supplies kit is essential for your survival after an emergency. It consists of all the basic stuff your household might need, such as water and food and other additional items. You should ensure your emergency kit is fully stocked at all times. Everything should be stored in airtight plastic bags and put in a duffel bag or a plastic bin to help you carry it easily.

Here are the essential items you will need for your emergency kit.

First aid kit and prescription medication
Food: You will need non-perishable food to last your family for at least three days. All canned food should be kept in a cool and dry place. You should also ensure you replace any expired items in your kit.
Water: Each person in your household will need a gallon every day for both sanitation and drinking.
Flashlight in case of a power outage
Important documents such as bank account records, insurance policies, and identification copies. These should be stored in a waterproof and portable container or saved electronically to prevent damage.
Garbage bags and moist toiletries for sanitation
Extra batteries
Soaps, disinfecting wipes, and hand sanitizer
Extra cash
Warm blankets
If you have kids, include board games, music, favorite toys, and books to calm them down.

Since you don’t know when an emergency or disaster will strike, make sure the supplies kit can be accessed quickly in case you have to leave the house urgently. You should also ensure that each person in your household knows where it is.

2. Prepare for a Power Outage

A power outage that lasts for more than eight hours or several days is highly frustrating. Most of your perishable foods could go bad even if they are in a refrigerator. Here are home preparedness tips to guide you during a persistent power outage.

Eat food from your refrigerator first, and then move to those in your freezer. Food in your freezer can stay cold for even two days if it’s not opened often.
Avoid opening your fridge regularly. Do so only when taking out food. Keeping your fridge closed helps it stay cold for several hours, which can buy you time until the power is back.
Unplug all electrical devices carefully after turning them off and disconnect appliances that can lead to electrical surges once the power is back.
If you have any medical devices that need electricity to function, make sure you talk to your medical provider regarding backup power options you should use. This should be done earlier in preparation for such an emergency.

3. Prepare For Home Fires

Unlike wildfires, home fires can be prevented. Fire spreads super-fast, and in just a couple of minutes, it can become life-threatening. The first step is to conduct a thorough home inspection to determine the type of home security system you should set up, such as CO sensors and smoke detectors, to increase your chances of escaping a deadly fire in your house.

Here are some home safety tips to take into account to prepare for a fire.

Look for escape routes in each room in case the main way is blocked by fire.
Ensure all your windows can be opened easily
When cooking, keep kids and pets away from the kitchen. You should also monitor stoves at all times.
Keep all flammable items away from anything that gets hot
Turn off hot devices such as hair straighteners or iron boxes immediately after use. You should also keep them away from other stuff that might easily catch fire.
Replace the batteries on your smoke alarms every year. Additionally, replace the smoke detector every ten years.
Ensure the whole family is familiar with the escape plan by practicing once in a while
Have exit ramps and broader doorways for family members with functional or access needs

In life, you cannot control disasters from happening. However, you can learn more about the various disasters prone to occur in your area and educate your household on home safety and preparedness. Being ready and having a plan will help save you a lot of stress during an emergency. As September is National Preparedness Month, take this time to evaluate your home for safety as well as preparedness.