Emergency Preparedness Tips

Public perception of preppers has significantly changed recently. Once, preppers were regarded as extremist people. However, the stigma attached to preppers has since wavered. People have realized that most preppers are resilient citizens who want to prepare for the worst-case scenarios.

FEMA itself has guidelines regarding citizens as well-prepared or self-reliant in emergency scenarios. Any household that can survive for at least 31 days without external assistance is considered self-reliant. You can view FEMA’s preparedness baseline here.

What’s more interesting is FEMA’s statistics. FEMA carries out an annual survey to assess household preparedness. In 2017, it counted 3.8 percent of US households as self-reliant. The number grew to 4.5 percent in 2018, further rising to 5.2 percent in 2019.

Contextually, these statistics mean that at least 7 million households in the United States are prepared for any emergency scenarios. This number has likely grown exponentially since the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Considering recent circumstances, you might be considering preparing yourself for such scenarios. If that’s indeed the case, you’re not alone. However, you’ll probably need some assistance to get started. In that case, this blog will prove beneficial.

Emergency Preparedness Tips

Here are some emergency preparedness tips that will prove beneficial. They include:

Test Your Mettle

Most people think they’ll manage to do well even in the most difficult circumstances. That’s because they anticipate things will work out exactly as they planned. However, the primary reason behind most people falling apart under pressure is that things don’t work out as anticipated.

Unfortunately, that’s something most people don’t train themselves for, and as a result, they suffer the consequences. Consider training yourself by pushing yourself outside your comfort zone.

Many preppers will often take survival training classes. These classes will simulate possible emergency scenarios, helping you strengthen your mental fortitude.

Get Your Finances Right

Most people often overlook the importance of getting their finances right. Budgeting isn’t fun, but it’s necessary. Pause momentarily and think about how you’ll finance your survival equipment and gear.

In addition, you’ll also need food, first-aid supplies, and other items to be prepared for any emergency scenario. You can’t hope to be self-reliant if you’re swamped with bills and debt repayments.

Learn Crucial Skills

It’s no secret that you’ll need some essential survival skills if an emergency occurs. For instance, you’ll want to learn to create a fire using a fire-starting kit. Likewise, you’ll also want to know how to tie knots with your cordage. Consider acquiring these crucial skills to develop self-confidence.

Most preppers often enroll in survival training classes to enhance their emergency preparedness. These classes are fantastic because they often simulate potential scenarios that might arise. In addition, they also equip you with the necessary survival skills to prepare for the worst-case scenarios.

Knowing you’re prepared for the worst-case scenario will boost your mental resolve and keep you calm under pressure.

Don’t Go Solo

Self-reliance is a key part of survival. However, you can’t survive by yourself if an emergency occurs. Most people adopt a lone wolf attitude when it comes to prepping. That’s a huge mistake.

You have to remember that humans are social animals, and as a result, we have strength in numbers. Having numbers on your side is beneficial because every member of your group will bring something to the table, contributing to your survival cause. 

Practice Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning isn’t fun, but it’s necessary. You’ll want to do a regular assessment of your prepping supplies. Most preppers will do this quarterly or semi-annually. For instance, food tins often have a shelf life. Some can last for a few weeks, while others can last for a year or two.

You’ll want to replace expired food with newer ones as a prepper. In addition, you’ll want to take inventory of your emergency bags. It’ll also serve you well to do emergency drills if you have young children.

Build a Foundation

Prepping starts with having a solid foundation. You’ll want to ensure you set aside some of your savings to prepare yourself for the worst-case scenario. Most preppers will set aside a percentage of their income. This number can range from ten to sixty percent. In addition, you’ll also want to ensure you develop a health and physical fitness foundation to get you ready for these scenarios.

Create a Checklist

Once you’ve started budgeting for prepping, you’ll need to create a checklist. Your checklist should include information about the survival equipment and gear required for unforeseen circumstances. Items like cordage, first-aid kits, and fire-starting kits are crucial components for most preppers.

In addition, you’ll also want to test your emergency preparedness by having a plan to leave your home if the situation requires it. Create exit plans to evacuate, particularly if you live in a sprawling metropolis or urban area. Most preppers will also have a checklist for their food requirements. You’ll want to do food shopping in advance to prepare yourself for any possible scenario that might arise.