Are You Prepared For An Emergency
@BelleStarr (61102)
United States
January 25, 2017 8:19pm CST
Being under the tornado watch this past Sunday made me realize that knowing where to go and what to do in case of a disaster is very important. At home in Connecticut, we don't have a real basement either, we have a split level home which means our basement is above ground and all the rooms have windows. We also have no rooms in the center of our home, all of them are either front or back.
We do have a closet that is in the center of our house, it is close to the chimney in the center. I suspect that that closet is the safest place in the house. It is large enough for my hubs and me and the three little dogs to get into. I think when I get home I am going to equip it for emergencies, bottled water, flashlight, radio etc.
While we don't often see tornados, we do see hurricanes and they can be just as destructive. Have you identified your safe spot and prepared for an emergency?
26 people like this
29 responses
@Marilynda1225 (82690)
• United States
26 Jan 17
I'm probably not as prepared as I should be. I do have a full basement which would provide cover if need be. However I never think about where I would go if I had to evacuate
5 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
26 Jan 17
Yes I think we all need to know the evacuation route. We have nuclear plants close enough to us to be a danger.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
2 Feb 17
@BelleStarr We are about two miles from nucl power plant with two reactors....I didn't put much though into it until we lived here a month and they tested the sirens....
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (82690)
• United States
2 Feb 17
@BelleStarr does living near a nuclear power plant make you nervous or do you just go about your business and not give it much thought?
@velvet53 (22534)
• Palisade, Colorado
26 Jan 17
@BelleStarr I really don't have a safe spot in my tiny place but we don't have threats of tornadoes very often. It is a good idea to have items that you will need in your safe spot.
3 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
26 Jan 17
I know I can't believe it has taken me this long to think about it.
1 person likes this
@velvet53 (22534)
• Palisade, Colorado
26 Jan 17
@BelleStarr I am sure that you aren't the only one but you are on top of it now.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (51045)
• Canada
26 Jan 17
We had the skies turn green and then go black during a thunderstorm once years ago, and my husband told my son and I to run to the basement as we could be getting a tornado. We have 1 room in the basement that has no windows. When we got into the room, our son who must have been about 9 or 10 at the time, was sitting on a box in that room with a football helmet on-we laughed so hard at the site of him! I can still picture it. We did not get a tornado that time, but a twister came thru a couple of times since then-scary stuff. We are prepared, we know where to go and have provisions to last us. We also have a fire exit planned should we need to exercise it. When our son was younger we actually had a fire drill every so often.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
30 Jan 17
This episode made me realize how important it is to have a plan and to know where to go. Sounds like you have it under control at least in this house.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (51045)
• Canada
30 Jan 17
@BelleStarr My husband is a health & safety specialist so he makes up these evacuation plans for companies, that's why we are so into it.
@sallypup (60954)
• Centralia, Washington
26 Jan 17
Oh yeah: last summer out of the blue, the deputy knocking on my door: get out sooner than later. Fire is heading your way. Holy Crud!! One cat hid under the bed. I prayed for him all night from my motel bed. Thank God nothing happened.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
30 Jan 17
Yes that had to b very scary, especially with no time to get your stuff like photos together etc!!
1 person likes this
@sallypup (60954)
• Centralia, Washington
30 Jan 17
@BelleStarr My hubby got quite angry cause I grabbed my computer but not his. The Vet boarded our one cat and the motel allowed our two dogs.
@sallypup (60954)
• Centralia, Washington
26 Jan 17
I'm in a double wide mobile up on a little hill so I have thought about this. I am addicted to windows. There are three in my bedroom! Not that long ago we had a disaster cause the pipes froze. Thank God we can slowly pay that bill of getting water back. That was an emergency- try explaining to a dog or cat that they have to drink water that used to be in a can of green beans. They don't like that anymore than we humans do. And there must be water for the chickens and hubby's shower so that he can go to work etc....
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
30 Jan 17
We have had frozen pipes at our cottage so I know what a disaster it is. I hope everything is sorted out now. We bought electric wraps for our pipes so that we won't have this problem again.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (60954)
• Centralia, Washington
30 Jan 17
@BelleStarr Yes we're better now. There is electric heat tape on the pipes. But no insulation. We need to do that. It got to 18 below so it was crazy cold for a couple of nights.
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
30 Jan 17
We already lost our home to a fire once, I am hoping that is one thing I will never have to live through again.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339433)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Jan 17
@BelleStarr I am sorry to hear that. It must have been devastating at the time.
@snowy22315 (180361)
• United States
27 Jan 17
We had a tornado here one time. I went in the walk closet. I was trying to get the pets to come in, but they ignored me.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (180361)
• United States
29 Jan 17
@BelleStarr The dog was cozy in my bed, and the cat was terrified..He meowed everytime there was a storm after that.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
29 Jan 17
I don't think I would have trouble with mine since they follow me everywhere
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
8 Feb 17
No but being even a little prepared can be very helpful.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
27 Jan 17
Our emergency spot is the closet in mine and my husband's room. It is big enough for our whole family plus dogs to fit in and it's the safest place too. I should put emergency supplies in there just in case-didn't think about that.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
30 Jan 17
At least water and flashlights are a good idea, just in case.
1 person likes this
@averygirl72 (37845)
• Philippines
27 Jan 17
It's important to prepare things like flashlights and rechargeable lights and other things prepared. Also our important documents in the house is easy to get and in safe place. Families should have emergency plan for disaster preparedness
1 person likes this
@averygirl72 (37845)
• Philippines
2 Feb 17
@BelleStarr The government should teach people for disaster preparedness
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
30 Jan 17
I think all too many people have no plan at all and that is worrisome
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
26 Jan 17
Here in Florida we had tornado warnings last year, which scared the heck out of me. We have an inside wall in one bathroom, our pantry, and a broom closet. In CT, we have a full basement and rooms within rooms (sounds strange) in which to take cover for hurricanes. Fortunately, we have lucked out. That tornado last year touched down in Delray Beach and Boca Raton.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
26 Jan 17
Our complex was hit by a tornado last year but our damage was minimal fascia and our light post but it was close enough to be scary.
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
26 Jan 17
@BelleStarr That is scary! You are lucky that's all the damage you had. Holy moly!
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
30 Jan 17
That sounds like a pretty safe spot especially since there are no windows.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317040)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
30 Jan 17
@BelleStarr It is. That's the good thing about apartments.
@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
26 Jan 17
We have a big basement with a very thick foundation. That's where I will head Putting some water and such down there is a great idea however.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
31 Jan 17
I always fill my bathtub with water when we are under a hurricane watch, we have a well and septic tank and we need the water to flush the toilet and I fill bottles with water to drink.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
31 Jan 17
@BelleStarr Sounds like a good idea. I am going to get some cases of water and store down there.
@amitkokiladitya (171927)
• Agra, India
26 Jan 17
Wow..you are very wise in doing that..please do it soon.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
26 Jan 17
Yes I will as soon as we go back home in late March.
1 person likes this
@amitkokiladitya (171927)
• Agra, India
26 Jan 17
@BelleStarr ohh I thought it was in a day or two
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
30 Jan 17
@BelleStarr That was a rare occurrence for Britain. My roof had to be repaired after that.
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
30 Jan 17
I was in England when a horrible storm hit the south, trees were down everywhere and the trains weren't running.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (37350)
• Toccoa, Georgia
26 Jan 17
Our front bathroom (though small) is the only room in the house that you can close both doors and it is secure with no windows. So, that is the place where we would go in case of a tornado.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
26 Jan 17
That sounds like a reasonable option
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
26 Jan 17
Since we live in the southern tornado belt we are prepared. If no basement the best place is the most interior room, usually a bathroom or closet.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
2 Feb 17
yes we have figured that out here in Florida but at home we have no room without windows and none in the center of the house.
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
2 Feb 17
@BelleStarr You don't get many tornadoes in CT do you? A bathroom would be the next option.
@Tampa_girl7 (50179)
• United States
10 Feb 17
One of our bathrooms would maybe be the safest place.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
10 Feb 17
It does make you think doesn't it. I assume you don't have a basement?
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
26 Jan 17
Yes, in this apartment it would be either the bathroom that has no windows or the kitchen at the front of the apartment- but good idea to have supplies if need be- I think we all should have extra - just in case.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
30 Jan 17
I think a flashlight and batteries are vital. We have a portable charger which can be used to charge phones etc which I think is a great option.
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
31 Jan 17
@BelleStarr I always wanted to get one of those crank radio things and some of extra options for other things!
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
2 Feb 17
Yes I am sure that we all hope that.
1 person likes this
