Most of us tend to think that all disastrous situations happen somewhere far away and that we are rather safe. I’m sure that most people that found themselves faced with life-threatening situations never really thought that a day like that would come. I’m not trying to make you paranoid. After all, you know the potential hazards of the area you live in, but then again, so did the people in Serbia, Bosnia and Croatia, and weather conditions still managed to catch them off guard.

We like to believe that we have put a leash on environmental factors, or that we can at least anticipate them with enough accuracy to prepare beforehand. To some extent, this is true, but nature can still surprise us in some cases, and sometimes there is not enough time to get to safety. These are situations where you need to be careful and think on your feet. There are some things each household should have since they can make a big difference in critical situations.

Water &  Shelf food

Every human being needs sustenance in critical situations, especially in ones that include dangerous weather conditions and may provoke the lack of food and drinkable water. Shelf food might not be the tastiest and highest quality dining, but it can be prepared in any conditions with rudimentary equipment and it stays fresh for a long time. Clean water can be even more crucial, and we all know that humans can survive longer without food than without water.

Emergency Bag

A change of clothes, some blankets, a can opener for your food, some emergency medicine (don’t forget to include medicine for chronicle diseases, like asthma pumps) are some of the things to keep in mind.

A flashlight or some other light source

Power shortages can make things difficult and even more dangerous. Having a flashlight at hand can help you find what you need faster and it can get everybody to safety more quickly. It also lowers the chances that somebody will get hurt on the way, or during that panicky period when everyone is running all over the place.

First Aid Kit

In extreme situations, chances are somebody will get hurt. It is an absolute imperative to have a first aid kit so you can help those who are in need, or at least patch them up until a doctor can help them. There are countless stories in which a first aid kit saved peoples’ lives, and the majority of them are not an exaggeration.

Cellphone signal amplifier

Communication is also a big issue. If you are cut off, you will need some means to contact the authorities and ask for help. This can mean the difference between being stranded for hours, or even days, and being found and extracted in a matter of minutes. Of course, cellphones are the most logical choice since in most families, everyone has a cellphone. Unfortunately, in some cases, you can’t get the reception, and this renders your high-tech, 20 pix, smartphone useless. You have to take this into account and it is a good idea to have a cell phone amplifier so you can actually use them.

A fire extinguisher

In times of crisis, there is a much higher probability of a fire hazards happening. If you think about it, this piece of information is quite logical. Regardless of what kind of weather hazard we are talking about, there is a high probability that, thanks to structural damage to homes or public venues, fires can break out thanks  to electrical causes, heating and so on. A fire extinguisher can mean the difference between life and death, and it is only common sense to have one in your home and another in your car.

This isn’t a complete list, and depending on the potential threats that may ail your area, you may need different things. You can inquire what the emergency protocols suggested by your local authorities are, and they can help you prepare for emergencies that have struck your location in the past. You should remember that panic is your biggest enemy since it influences your thought process and prevents you from thinking rationally. Try to stay as calm as you can and be ready for anything.