The old saying goes, “New Year, New You.”
But let’s be honest, the majority of us come up with our New Year’s resolutions at the last minute before the clock strikes midnight and we turn into pumpkins—uh, we mean before we come up with mediocre resolutions about losing weight or not drinking as much coffee. Let’s be honest, most of us never follow through and end up off the wagon come February.
This year, instead of setting the same old resolutions that you’ll never complete, consider setting some preparation-based ones in order to make yourself better prepared for the unexpected.
Below are our top reasons for adding emergency preparedness to your New Year’s Resolution checklist so you become more disaster prepared in 2022.
1) Governments, communities, and disaster relief organizations often struggle to reach everyone quickly.
We all saw what happened during the December 10-11, 2021 midwest tornado event. Police and fire departments were overwhelmed with the relief effort, and they lacked the equipment and resources needed to help many families trapped in their homes and workplaces amidst the wreckage.
For example, at the Candle Factory in Mayfield, Kentucky, rescue workers had to rummage through at least 15 feet of metal to get to those stuck underneath.
In an emergency, relief organizations sometimes need to focus their efforts elsewhere, such as finding displaced residents places to stay. Preparing for at least 3-5 days of survival can mean the difference between thriving or eating out of a dumpster.
2) Preparing for disasters may reduce anxiety and fear.
The majority of Americans live in an area susceptible to natural disasters, so taking appropriate measures to secure your house and emergency needs can ease these fears.
Secure items that could move if you live in a region prone to earthquakes. Consider moving valuables to higher floors to floodproof your home. Throughout the year, more preparation measures should take place.
Prepare non-perishable items, like our MRE meals, so that you have enough food to last you and your family during unexpected times of displacement.
3) You can become self-reliant and care for your own basic needs in an emergency.
A family should prepare to be self-sufficient for at least three days before rescue in a disaster (the average number of days before aid arrives). In an emergency, shelter, warmth, first aid, emergency food, water, sanitation, and protection are all necessary.
4) You’ll be able to help others.
Preparing your own family for an emergency early in the year means you have more opportunities to secure additional emergency items for others in need. Remember, you’re not the only people going through a disaster.
5) It's possible to reduce the risk of losing loved ones, pets, and valuable possessions.
Obviously, the top reason you should make Emergency Preparedness your 2022 resolutions is so that you can keep your loved ones safe—though if you could care less about your family, that’s between you and your demons, we won’t get in the middle of that.
Check out our last disaster preparedness post, “How to Prepare for Disasters with MREs” to ensure your family stays safe in a disaster scenario. Share the information with your family, and teach your children what to expect and how to respond in an emergency.
Get Ahead on Your Preparations By Stocking Up on MREs
We are facing a new breed of natural disasters that last longer, happen more frequently, and are more intense. But we’ve gotten better at knowing when they’re coming, which means you’ve got to up your preparation game.
There’s no reason to be unprepared when it’s as easy as purchasing a case of MREs. Having food on hand means you won't have to depend on emergency services or wait in long food lines. Rather than worrying about where your next meal will come from, you can spend week one of an emergency getting your family back on their feet.
How many MREs do you need? The recommended amount of MRE per person per day is one or two, which is between 1,100 and 2,500 calories (a child might be at the lower end of this).
Check out our online store and browse our selection of MREs and other long-term food options. If you’re looking for more tips and information about storing food for an emergency, feel free to contact us!
