This week North Carolina experienced two natural weather situations. First, were the unexpected earthquake tremors. While the epicenter was in Virginia, the effects were felt here and all along the east coast. Then Hurricane Irene threatened the United States. Coastal residents and visitors were evacuated and property secured to the degree possible.
As the men and women who live on the coast packed their belongings and prepared to abandon their homes for safety, what do you think they packed? What things in your home would be precious enough to make the grade in a planned evacuation?
My list would include the two quilts hand-made by my grandmother who passed away just before my oldest daughter was born. My husband's grandmother crocheted an afghan, which would also come with us. Photo albums, videos, a family Bible, and paintings by my mother are just a few of the items I'd grab. Clearly family is very important to me.
But what if you had to get out of your home at a moment's notice? Would your precious memories be preserved in a safe place? What about your important documents? Do you have a disaster plan for what is important to you?
Here are five resources to help you make like a Boy Scout and "Be Prepared."
1. Digitize and preserve all your photos, videos, film, slides, documents, and family mementos on archival discs. You can store these off-site in a safety deposit box.
http://www.wedvdit.com/DVD-video-services/savers-of-family-archive.htm
2. Have legal documents in a plastic folder - documents that prove who you are!
http://www.phantomranch.net/comunity/evaclist.htm - This link has specific information for fires and the documents are universal.
Got kids? Check out these tips for the family.
http://childparenting.about.com/od/lifeathome/a/familyevacuatio_2.htm
3. Get Waterproof! Your electronics need protection, too!
http://www.otterbox.com/waterproof-cases/waterproof-cases,default,sc.html
4. The first 72 hours are the most urgent. Kits can save you a step up when getting out of your home quickly.
http://www.areyouprepared.com/Emergency-Survival-Kits-s/48.htm
5. Evacuation routes change for each emergency. This site links to evacuation routes for the USA, including numbers for phone hotlines, radio, road closures and emergency sites.
http://www.ibiblio.org/rcip/evacuationroutes.html
~Sharon
Home Video Studio-Apex is located in the Triangle Area of North Carolina
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