Emergencies always occur without notice. Those who are involved rarely have knowledge that an emergency is about to happen, let alone have prepared for one. Whether it is a terrorist attack, natural disaster, accident or civil unrest, it is always just a matter of time before the next emergency hits.
Home
When preparing for an emergency at home, know the necessities and be aware of your surroundings and resources. There are several ways you can protect yourself and your family before an emergency ever occurs. This includes being knowledgeable of the types of emergencies and disasters that might affect your area, prepare disaster supply kits, learn where you can seek shelter in times of any hazard, and know your community’s warning awareness system and evacuation routes.
Travel
When traveling, always tell someone back home where you are going and leave them a copy of your travel itinerary. Register your trip on the US State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Form, available on the WPG’s Resources page along with many other important links for the planning of your trip. Make copies of important documents like passports and keep them separate from the actual documents. If possible do not keep these things where they could be stolen. The best place for them is locked in the safe in the hotel room. Know the travel risks, be aware of the terrorist activity, natural disaster warnings, and the basic news of the area you are traveling in and make note of the hospitals, shelter areas, evacuation routes and emergency numbers of that country.
Types of Emergencies
- Civil Unrest: Civil unrest can be described as a group of acts of violence and disorder in reaction to an upset with governmental, prejudicial, and public law and order. The Occupy Wall Street protest in the US and Europe are examples, as are the protests against President Mubarak in Egypt earlier in the year. Civil unrest is occurring presently in countries around the world including the US, Greece, Spain, Italy, Egypt, Syria, England, India, Tunisia, Libya, Yemen, Bahrain, Lebanon, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Sudan, Ivory Coast, & Algeria. If you are traveling to any foreign country you need to prepare for all potential security and safety issues.
- Terrorist Attacks: Each American is familiar with the 9/11 terrorist attacks that devastated those in the United States. Terrorist attacks also include suicide bombers who threaten the lives of American soldiers in Iraq, a car bomb strategically placed on a busy street in Ireland, cartel gunfights in Mexico, and travelers who are kidnapped for ransom money. Terrorist attacks can happen anywhere and any traveler can be in the wrong place at the wrong time. All travelers should prepare an emergency evacuation plan for any security issue that focuses on getting back to their home country safely.
- Natural Disasters: No one can forget the horrific natural disasters of Hurricane Katrina, the Tsunami in South East Asia, or the 8.9 magnitude Japanese earthquake that triggered a 23 foot tsunami. Like rioting and terrorist attacks, natural disasters are another emergency that can be unpredictable and unstoppable, killing hundreds in its wake. Natural disasters can be as ruthless and unforgiving as terrorists. 21 states in the U.S. alone have experienced natural disasters including tornados, hurricanes, destructive storms, and demolishing earthquakes. Even after these experiences, Americans are not always prepared when these catastrophic incidents happen.
Don’t Wait. Prepare Now for every Emergency
We recommend that each family have a security and emergency plan for both domestic incidents and travel abroad. Our company specializes in family security (home, office, & travel) and emergency planning that is customizable to you, your family, and your lifestyle. Use our Resources Page to learn a bit more about the organizations that can help with your planning or call us directly and let us do the work for you!
