Emergency Preparedness 

Prepare for the Unexpected: Our Series on Emergency Preparedness

When the alarm sounded, Julie dismissed it as the usual Friday test. She heard the TV announcement advising people to seek shelter, but since she was home, she didn't feel the need to act. It wasn't until after the disaster struck that Julie realized it was a real warning. She had inadvertently put her family members’ lives in danger by not taking it seriously.

This story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of recognizing and responding to warnings during a disaster.

In a fire. Stay close to the floor and move quickly to the nearest exit. Smoke makes it hard to see, and most fire deaths are caused by smoke inhalation. Leave behind personal items. Seconds can make the difference between life and death.

In an earthquake. Get under sturdy furniture or next to an inside wall. Expect aftershocks and get outside and away from buildings as soon as you can. Trained rescuers may not arrive for hours, so try to rescue others if you can.

In a tsunami. If the water suddenly rushes away from the shore, move quickly to higher ground. Expect more and larger waves.

In a tornado or a hurricane. Go to a storm shelter without delay.

In a flood. Stay out of flooded buildings. Avoid wading in or driving through water. Floodwater can contain sewage and conceal dangers, including debris, open manholes, and downed power lines.

Did you know? Two feet [0.6 m] of moving water can carry a car away. Most deaths in a flood result when people try to drive through moving water.

If the authorities order an evacuation, leave immediately! 

Let friends know where you are, or they may risk their lives looking for you.

Did you know? Text messaging may be more reliable than telephone voice service.

If the authorities direct residents to remain at home or shelter in place, stay inside. 

In case of an outdoor chemical, biological, or nuclear accident or attack, stay indoors, turn off ventilation, and seal all doors and windows. In a nuclear event, go to the lowest internal part of your building to reduce radiation exposure. Listen to local TV or radio news. Stay indoors until authorities announce that the threat has passed.

The lesson from Julie's experience is clear: preparedness is crucial. Just as financial stability is at the core of our lives, being proactive about potential dangers is essential. By heeding warnings and preparing in advance, we can mitigate the impact of natural disasters on our finances. While we can't control when disasters strike, we can control how we respond, ensuring that our financial health remains intact, even in the face of the unexpected.

PSS: Managing your finances with confidence includes developing the capabilities to plan ahead of time for any unexpected event and sometimes all of this adulting can create anxiety that is why one of the major pillars of our program SAPPHIRE DESIGN consists of teaching you how to navigate money management from your mind with ease and confidence.

Speak soon,
Christiane
The Green Wealth Legacy Team