3 Must-Haves for Disaster Mitigation at Home

In any disaster, whether natural or man made, one of the biggest concerns is how to survive without electricity.

It is undeniable how important electricity is to our daily lives. Almost everything nowadays runs on it. Right now you are reading this from an electronic device; could be a desktop computer, a laptop, a tablet or phone. Even your internet connection runs on electrical power. The fridge, TV, lights, oven, the heater and the AC all need this energy to operate and make life better. Businesses are generally managed on computers. Professionals depend on electricity to do their jobs and be productive.

3 Must-Haves for Disaster Mitigation at Home

While some have gone completely off-the-grid, not all preppers are ready to give up on this energy source. Fortunately there is always a way to find a compromise. There is nothing wrong with using a generator; preparedness does not always have to be equated with living off the grid. Being prepared should also mean being practical. This holds true with people who have to work from 9 to 5 to make a living. This is preparedness in the real world.

Indoor propane heaters will come handy when the power grid fails and your heating system becomes useless. Image via sportsmansguide.com

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3 Disaster Mitigation Items all Households Should Have

Natural disasters are not only becoming more frequent, but more deadly. In 2011, there were 553 deaths in the U.S. as a result of tornadoes, which was more than 2001 to 2010 combined, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. The Oklahoma Insurance Department estimated damages from the 2013 tornado which destroyed the town of Moore to be over $2 billion. The New York Daily News estimated total damages caused by Hurricane Irene in 2011 to be well over $15 billion.

Preparation is key to mitigate damage, potentially save the lives of your family and salvage your home and belongings. These three items are must-haves for anyone serious about disaster preparedness.

1. Generator

A generator will be essential for short-term preservation, and will be a source of electricity for your most essential electrical items. The size and power of the generator you choose all depends on what you need it to power, so start by purchasing a Kill-A-Watt meter. These devices allow you to plug any electrical device into it and get a reading for the amount of power required. Most people want to keep their refrigerator and freezer running, along with some lights for day-to-day activities. Add up the total wattage of all the appliances and devices you would want to run during a power outage, and that will give you an idea of the size of generator your home will need.

The average American home uses about 3,000 watt of power per day, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, so a 2000-watt unit should suffice for a refrigerator, lights, and even to charge cell phones and computers. A larger unit will be necessary if you want your home to have the same power capabilities no matter the situation. If you’d like to test before you buy, consider renting a generator from Sunbelt Rentals and conducting a trial run in your home. Keep in mind, the larger the generator, the more fuel it will need to run.

via 3 Disaster Mitigation Items all Households Should Have – American Preppers Network : American Preppers Network.

Without water, we cannot survive longer than three days. You need a simple and portable filter to make water safe for drinking. Via coolmaterial.com

A power generator makes surviving a disaster much easier, especially in the city. When a disaster strikes, finding yourself without electricity can be one of the most terrifying things. You can feel isolated without the ability to communicate with the outside world, let alone the ability to stay warm, cook food, etc.

A generator is just one of the three must-haves for disaster preparedness. To learn about the other two, click here.

What would you buy in preparation for a disaster? Let us know in the comments.

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