Summer is a time of year that many people look forward to. With its long days and warm weather, there are many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and spend time with family and friends. However, summer is also an excellent opportunity to prepare for potential emergencies and disasters. In this post, we’ll explore seven ways to use summer’s long days to be better prepared.
1. Tend to Your Garden
Summer is a perfect time to work on your garden. Growing your food is one of the best ways to be self-sufficient and save money. Not only is gardening a great way to stay physically active, but it can also provide fresh produce for your family, even during natural disasters. Make sure to choose crops that will thrive in your area and start tending to your garden now to ensure you have a bountiful harvest come autumn.
2. Practice Fire Safety
Summer is also the peak season for wildfires. Make sure to practice fire safety by keeping your yard free from debris that could fuel a fire, such as dry leaves, branches, and oily rags. If you live in a wildfire-prone area, make sure to create a defensible space around your home to reduce the risk of your property being destroyed.
3. Learn a New Skill
Summer is the perfect time to learn a new skill. Take advantage of the long days by enrolling in a course or workshop that teaches you a useful skill such as first aid, emergency communication, or survival skills. These skills will come in handy in times of emergency and could potentially save your life.
4. Update Your Emergency Kit
Summer is also an excellent time to update your emergency kit. Make sure you have enough food, water, and medical supplies to last your family for at least three days. Check the expiration dates on food and medication and replace them as needed. Be sure to include important documents such as driver’s licenses, passports, and insurance policies in waterproof containers.
5. Conduct a Home Safety Audit
Summer is a great time to conduct a home safety audit. Go through your home and check for potential hazards such as frayed electrical cords, overloaded outlets, and loose handrails. Make any necessary repairs and ensure that you have working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers throughout your home.
6. Stockpile Supplies
Summer is a great time to stockpile supplies. Many stores offer discounts on camping gear, outdoor equipment, and emergency supplies during the summer months. Take advantage of these sales to stock up on essential items such as water filters, solar chargers, and portable stoves.
7. Create a Communication Plan
Summer is also an excellent time to create a communication plan. Make sure everyone in your family knows what to do in case of an emergency. Establish a meeting place if you get separated, and make sure everyone has a way to communicate with each other even if cell phone service is down. It is also essential to have a plan in place to contact emergency services.
Conclusion
Summer is an excellent time to prepare for potential emergencies and disasters. By taking advantage of the long days and warm weather, you can tend to your garden, practice fire safety, learn new skills, update your emergency kit, conduct a home safety audit, stockpile supplies, and create a communication plan. With these preparations in place, you will be ready to face whatever challenges may come your way.
