Last Updated on April 10, 2024 by Brenda

Level Up Your Life: Prep Like a Prepper Pro Podcast Link

Spring has sprung in eastern New Mexico, and that means strong winds. While these winds can bring much-needed rain, they can also be damaging and dangerous. During our latest episode of Health IQ we focused on how to be prepared for any emergency, from windstorms to wildfires.

Last Spring we had a widespread powerful hail storm that knocked out power for over 19 hours, highlighting the importance of having a plan in place. In addition to no power, cell towers also went down, communication was impossible, and people couldn’t access gas or emergency services. Many of our lower income families in the Tucumcari Community, had not been to the store, and did not have many pantry items at home or a way to prepare food. Our restaurants could not open. Our emergency responders faced many challenges as we discovered the holes in our preparation, especially in communication and backup energy supplies. As families, there are many things we need to do to be prepared for all types of emergencies.

Here are some tips to get you started.

• Assemble an emergency preparedness kit: This kit should include important documents, such as birth certificates, passports, and insurance policies. These would be best kept in a fireproof box. Update this information regularly.  Don’t forget prescription medications and other must have personal items.  A household inventory is also a good idea with serial numbers and purchase date and price of large items.
• Create a digital record of your belongings: Take a video walkthrough of your house, documenting your belongings for insurance purposes. Update this video regularly. Store it on an external drive in someplace other than your home.
• Consider cloud storage: Store pictures and digital copies of important documents in the cloud for safekeeping and easy access.
• Prepare a car emergency kit: Include a blanket, mittens, easy open food items, a metal coffee can, a candle, and matches in your car. A small solar phone charger can also be useful.
• Have a communication plan: Designate an out-of-town contact person for everyone in your family to call in case of an emergency. Consider using a communication app to check on loved ones.
• Gather supplies for extended outages: Stockpile non-perishable food, water, and first-aid supplies to last for several days. Be sure to have a manual can opener.
• Invest in a battery-powered flashlight: Battery-powered flashlights are more reliable than flashlights that are rechargeable, which can die at inconvenient times. Be sure to have extra batteries on hand. Don’t resort to the use of your cellphone for light because you many need the battery to make an important call. 
• Consider purchasing some camping equipment: If you live in an area that is often without power it may be worth the investment to purchase some propane lanterns, cook stove and solar rechargers.
• Freeze bottled water: Fill water bottles and freeze them to keep your freezer and refrigerator cold longer during a power outage. Another option is to move food from your refrigerator into ice chests with the frozen bottles because you are needing to cool a smaller space.
• Develop a plan for power outages: Know where to locate extra blankets and warm clothes. If you have a fireplace, learn how to use it safely for heat and cooking. Be sure to keep a wood supply for the whole year.

Remember:

• Don’t wait until an emergency strikes to prepare. Take action today to assemble your emergency kit and create a plan.
• Start small. Set a timer for 10 minutes and dedicate that time to working on your emergency preparedness plan.
• Review and update your plan regularly. Your needs may change over time, so it’s important to keep your plan up-to-date.