Surviving Natural Disasters: Safe Points in the Household

Want to know how to survive natural disasters?

Live in a disaster-prone area?

Outdoor survival expert Alden Morris is back this week with tips for surviving a variety of natural disasters. Check out his article below, and be sure to share your own tips in the comments.

Surviving Natural Disasters: Safe Points in the Household

Surviving a natural disaster with safe points in your household may vary depending upon the region of the country that you reside in.  For example, along the West Coast United States, earthquakes are the most common natural disaster, while throughout the Central and Midwest of the United States, tornadoes are most common, and along the East Coast, hurricanes are more frequent.

These regions, however, are not just limited to these types of natural disasters.  So it is important to be aware and to prepare for surviving a natural disaster of any type with safe points in your household.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes have the ability to level buildings if high enough on the Richter scale.  However, because of this architects have designed modern homes and buildings with focal points that provide protection from falling debris and structural damage in case such an event occurs.

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Doorways and entryways make excellent areas to be during an earthquake as well as underneath large tables and in the middle of the room away from windows that may shatter or objects that may fall off of or away from the walls.

Tornadoes

Where tornadoes are frequent, such as “Tornado Alley”, storm shelters and storm cellars are already in place.  However, in case one is not accessible the safest points within the household to survive this natural disaster are the basement and bathtub.

The basement provides protection from the house uprooting as most basements are already underground as well as a bathtub is built into the frame of the home allowing some of the most protection from natural disasters that threaten to demolish or partially demolish the home.

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Hurricanes, Tsunamis, and Flooding

Houses located along the coastline are especially prone to hurricanes, tsunamis, and of course general flooding.

In case this occurs this first piece of advice is to seek safety elsewhere however, if staying home is the only option then seeking high ground within the home will be how to survive this natural disaster.

In case of a hurricane seek shelter in the middle of a room away from windows and doors as well as underneath tables or desks.  In case of severe flooding relocate to higher floors or even the roof if rain is minimal.

Severe Thunderstorms

During severe thunderstorms, electrical power lines can become overcharged and cause damage to electrical appliances within the home.  During a severe thunderstorm it is wise to stay away from all electrical appliances in case this occurs.

Also, be sure to stay away from windows and doors as these can become damaged from high winds causing injury if in the way.

Volcanic Eruptions

Although rare some regions of the United States are prone to volcanic eruptions.  These regions include the Pacific Northwest and the Midwest from the active volcanoes located at Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, and Yellowstone.

As always the first piece of advice is to evacuate to safety however, if staying home is an option you want to be sure that your home is not directly in the path of any lahars.

Lahars are a fast-moving buildup of water, mud, and debris that can take out homes if in their path.  Seek shelter within the home and seal or board windows and doors as to prevent ash from seeping inside the home.  It is advised to have spare gas masks if residing near an active volcano or at least masks.

Here's a little information on the dangers of an active volcano, Mt. Ranier:

Space Weather Natural Disasters

One of the rarest yet recorded natural disaster events is events caused by space weather.  The Sun for example from time to time releases powerful Coronal Mass Ejections (CME) or Solar Flares that have the capability of destroying Earth’s entire electrical grid including basic power and communications.

This event called a “Solar Kill Shot” ultimately has the power to set mankind back to the stone age.  This event has occurred before in the past and is known as the “Carrington Event” which occurred in 1859 when a large solar flare released from the sun overpowered and disrupted telegraph lines even causing some to ignite on fire.

It is hard to predict when a Solar Kill Shot might occur however, in order to be properly prepared for one it is wise to maintain basic survival skills and to have alternative sources of energy such as solar panels, hydropower equipment, and even manual charging tools.

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Check out the video below for a presentation of the Solar Kill Shot and how it may affect you: