An emergency can occur anywhere and at anytime but there is no need to suffer unnecessary injury or property loss if you can avoid it. You can’t control or prevent emergencies but you can certainly take some steps to prepare for unexpected events in your home. The good news is that you know your home well and are familiar with the ins and outs of it. This helps with an emergency preparation plan. Below are a few tips to keep in mind for unforeseen events.

1. Safety First

First things first, make sure that you have working fire detectors and fire extinguishers in your home. This one is a no brainer. In the event of a small and manageable fire, you can quickly use the extinguisher to buy time for your family time to escape and for the firefighters to get to your home. There is no need to panic. Know that you are not a trained firefighter and as such you should stay away from any fires that can not be controlled by a basic home fire extinguisher. Read through these quick home fire prevention and safety tips to stay prepared.

2. Map Out an Exit Route

Next, map out your exit route and directions to the closest emergency service stations. This is something you should do as soon as you move to a new home or residence. Real estate in Ghana is not cheap. You took time to research all the possible apartments for rent or even houses for sale in Accra before making a choice to live where you do. Do the same for safety. Take time to travel the distance from your house to the emergency service office, calculate the amount of time it takes and factor in traffic, rain or any other possible eventualities. Explore your neighbourhood well and figure out the best areas to hide if your emergency requires you to do so. Don’t forget to introduce yourself to your neighbours. If your car gives up on you, you might need your neighbours to transport you from your home to a secured location.

3. Strap Down Expensive Property

Try to bolt down expensive things like TV’s, fridges and other general electronics. In some circumstances, for instance, during an earthquake or flood, these heavy and expensive electronics might end up pinning you down and prevent you from escaping a dangerous situation. You also don’t want to lose focus during an emergency thinking about the things you might possibly lose. By bolting down your property, you are aware that they are going to survive the emergency and you can focus on keeping yourself safe

4. Prepare an Exit Drill

Come up with a drill for leaving your home in the case of an emergency. All the members of your household should be involved in this. Practice the drill every few months to ensure that people know the roles they are supposed to play. Take your exit drill seriously and designate a meeting spot for the entire family to meet at when you are able to escape your home. Encourage everyone to remain calm and follow the plan steadfastly.

5. Find Your Safe Spot

It might not always be possible to escape or leave your home in the event of a disaster or emergency. This means you have to find a place in your home that is ideal for hiding and protecting yourself and your family from harm. Evaluate your home properly and identify the appropriate spot for this purpose. If you are staying in your home then you need to keep in mind that you might have to turn off the water or electricity if it’s necessary during a flood or hurricane. Your safe spot is ideally an interior room like a bathroom.

***

So there you have it! Five tips to help you prepare for an emergency in your home. Emergency preparation can be daunting but if done properly you should have a much easier time dealing with unexpected situations whether natural or man-made.