The almost daily strong rains the past weeks should be a warning we must heed. Disaster season is now almost upon us. Thus, the question on everybody’s mind should be, are we ready?
Very soon typhoons would be howling blowing away our roofs and causing lands to slide down our mountains. But even if these are expected every rainy season, we seem to be always caught by surprise. We are never ready as individuals or as a society. Credit that to our disastrous complacency and stupidity.
Sadly, government’s arm to take care of disasters, like almost anything in our government is a disaster itself. We cannot rely on it for our safety.
So, the last resort is for us to rely on ourselves. In most cases this only takes some common sense, creativity and an ounce of preparedness.
It does not take a genius IQ to keep your roof from being blown away. Chances are, all it takes is to pin it down with some weight like stones, discarded tires or hollow blocks. Better though if its parts are securely fastened with cheap wires or nails. We are already in modern times. These are readily available and easily done while nature’s wrath is still away.
But no matter how prepared we are there will always be unexpected emergencies. Hence, there are usual things needed that should come in handy. These are not expensive we have always known. Flashlights, candles, a rope, bottled water, canned food, cell phone load, umbrellas or raincoats, rubbing alcohol, bandages, nebulizer, pet needs are some of the things whose importance must never be discounted or taken lightly. These can mean the difference between life and death or serious infection and health, or between a lovable cat or dog and a dead one. For those living far from town, a galloon of extra gasoline or diesel fuel safely stored would be heaven sent in case an ambulance cannot be called which is most of the time, if not all the time.
There are few words we must go back to. Let us be boy scouts.**