be safe during... a flood.

technically, any sort of freak accident could befall you at any time - snowstorm in june? not likely, but possible. but here in texas, we would most likely fall victim to:

1. flood,


2. hurricane,
   
3. tornado,


4. drought,


5. thunderstorm,


6. winter/ice storm,


7. of course a fire could happen anywhere, and


8. or perhaps some manner of disease epidemic
   

we'll go through these a few at a time. no need to get all gloom-n-doom and overwhelmed at once. so, if you chance to meet a flood, what should you do?

planning ahead -- well first let's address what you should have done already - have insurance. yeah, it's kind of a drag - but it's important. FEMA released a statement in 2005 saying: "flood insurance is affordable. everyone needs it. it is the first line of defense to protect against the cost of flood damage." since i'm no insurance pro, i won't go through the technicalities of the policies; i will leave it at this: insurance - it's important, so look into it. and then get it. if you don't know where to start, google it.

vehicle safety -- if you're at work, or outside your home and are worried about a flood coming, you may think you'd best be getting in your car to get home. ironically, this might be the most dangerous choice. texas has the highest number of flood-related fatalities, almost all deaths were vehicle-related. most cars will float and be swept away in 18-24 inches of moving water -- and don't think because you have a van or suv that you're safer than the mazda miata next to you. you're not really. if your car is swept away, it will likely roll or even flip over entirely. once this happens, you have only seconds to escape the vehicle - and can you even imagine trying to undo those tricky carseat buckles when really, all you want to do is panic?

so what should you do if you're out driving (or about to drive home)? just hurry up and wait for the rains to pass; resist the urge to rush home during heavy rain. remember: turn around, don't drown!

be safe at home -- even if you're dry and warm inside, there are still some hazards to be on the lookout for; here are some tips:

1. turn off your electricity - some appliances can shock you, even if unplugged. so don't use any appliance that has gotten wet unless you have cleaned and dried it


2. watch for animals - many small animals, including snakes, can be pushed from their homes and may try to join you in yours. so keep your eye out for them!


3. watch where you step - the ground can become covered with debris, including broken glass. or, it could be very slippery with mud - so tread lightly.


4. check for gas leaks


5. clean everything that got wet - in a flood, the waters can pick up sewage and chemicals from roads, factories, businesses, storage spaces and many other undesirable places. food, cosmetics, medicines can all become tainted if they get wet - when in doubt, throw it out!


6. have your emergency kits handy - if you are told to evacuate, do it. it will be way simpler and safer if you do it when first advised instead of holding out. and take your emergency kits with you.


7. make sure your whole family knows of your emergency communication plan and that you have all decided what to do in an emergency (where to go, who to call, where to meet, etc.). and if you have pets, don't forget to plan ahead for them as well.

most importantly, do not underestimate the destructive power of a flood. it is more than just a little rain.

safety tip source

photo source

car emergency kit

so we'll kick off march - emergency month - by starting small, with a car-kit. small, but still very very important. ask anyone who's been stuck out on the road, with or even without kids, and it cam be super stressful, super cold, super hot, super scary, super long and so on. creating and stashing a car kit in your trunk can give you peace of mind and perhaps even save your life. hereand now, in the '00s, we pretty much all have cell phones, but what if your battery died? what if you had no service? if you had an emergency, hopefully you could call someone, but i wouldn't bet on it.

so what should be in your car kit?:

• water
• some emergency food and snacks
• cell phone charger - you can even get a hand-crank charger in case your car has no power
• lightweight wool blanket or emergency reflective blanket
• hats and gloves
• extra clothing
• hand and body warmers
• waterproof matches
• flashlight with extra batteries OR a handcrank charging flashlight
• road flares or light sticks
• 100-hour candle
• reflectors
• gas can (with extra gas)
• cans of oil
• jumper cables
• jack and lug wrench
• tire pump or fix-a-flat
• tire chains
• tow chain
• basic tools, small shovel
• ice scraper
• extra fan belt, radiator hose, fuses
• first-aid kit
• multi-purpose knife
• toilet paper
• emergency money - at least $20 in small bills and coins
• short rubber hose for siphoning

a few other tips -

• always make sure your gas tank is at least 1/2 full,
• in case of a gas leak it would not be safe to light a match,
• if you have special needs in your family - such as an infant, diabetes, hypoglycemia, asthma, those with chronic illnesses, and the list goes on - you need to make sure you have planned for them as well
• customize your car kit to meet your needs - think about what you would need and get started!

Q: but i really don't want to gather all this stuff myself, can't i just buy it somewhere?

A: yes! you can purchase pre-made car kits.

• from emergency essentials by clicking here
• walmart also has a variety of emergency kits; you can browse by clicking here
• disaster necessities also has some, click here
• if you don't like any of these, google it. you'll find more, i promise.