12 Reasons Why You Should Prep
Being prepared for a natural disaster doesn’t make you a crazy person like we’ve been led to believe. You also don’t have to be labeled a conspiracist, or have a family that sits around wearing tin-foil hats all day. Having the right supplies and plans in place is actually a very rational thing to do. The question is, are you prepared and know what to do following a major disaster or other types of threats? Here are several reasons why you should prep.
Related: 8 Ways to Convince Your Loved Ones to Prep
If Covid-19 wasn’t already enough of a reason to convince people to prep, I’m not sure that there’s much else that would. But I’ll still do my best to argue my case regarding why you and your family need to be ready before the crisis ever takes place. Here are 12 reasons why you should consider prepping.
12 Reasons Why You Should Prep
1. Power Outages
Out of all of the reasons I have listed to prep, a power outage is the most likely to occur. You may think that it’s not necessarily a dangerous situation, but it could turn into one if the power is out for an extended period of time. Especially, if it takes place during a cold winter storm or the very hot summer months. Would you have the supplies to be able to keep your family from freezing to death or from having a heat stroke while being cooped up in your home? This is a major reason why you should prep. In case you missed this post, Power Outage: What to do Next
2. Earthquakes
Most injuries and deaths that occur because of an earthquake happen because of something falling on an individual. The safest place to be is outside and away from trees and buildings. In case you missed this post, Earthquakes-Are You Ready?
Following an earthquake, you should never re-enter your home if it’s taken on significant damage, unless your local officials have told you that it’s okay to do so. You’ll need to have a disaster supply kit that has a first aid kit included, that way you can bandage any wounds or head injuries that your family may have experienced.
3. Hurricanes
Hurricanes are the most destructive and deadly when it comes to extreme weather. It’s also becoming more common these days for a hurricane to be followed by another hurricane. In case you missed this post, How to Prep for Hurricane Season
If you’re living along, or near the coasts, you have to be prepared for them. Your family’s lives could depend on it. Along with prepping supplies, you need to have an evacuation plan ready should the weather experts tell you that you need to get out of your home before the storm hits.
4. Tornadoes
At times, tornadoes can develop very quickly, and with little to no warning. You need to consider a place in your home where you can seek shelter, whether it’s a basement, cellar, or a room that doesn’t have any windows. You certainly don’t want to be caught without a weather radio that can provide you with instant updates or changes to weather conditions in your area. In case you missed this post, Tornado Watch vs Tornado Warning
5. Snow and Ice Storms
Getting snowed in doesn’t sound so bad, especially if you think you could use a few days off from work. But if your power is knocked out and you don’t have the food to sustain you and supplies to keep you warm, your situation could turn deadly.
6. Wildfires
Wildfires are happening in California and other western states like never before. It’s imperative that you have the appropriate supplies and an evacuation plan ready, should one ever come your way.
7. Floods
FEMA has stated that flooding is the number one disaster in the United States today. In case you missed this post, Flooding: Everything You Need to Know
You may live far away from a large body of water, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not possible for flooding to happen in your area. Flash floods can happen very quickly, and unfortunately, most homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover your home and property in case of a flood. If you live in a flood zone your lender will require you to get flood insurance, in most cases. Double-check, just in case.
8. Terrorism
September 11th was a terrifying day in our nation’s history and one that nobody was prepared for. Since then, there have been several other terrorist events like the Boston Marathon bombing and the 2017 Las Vegas shooting. In case you missed this post, Top Threats You Need to Be Prepared to Survive
There are other ways that terrorists could cripple our country, whether it’s financially, or wiping out the entire electrical grid. The latter would push us back to the dark ages. People would resort to looting grocery stores and businesses, and your family would be left with nothing if you hadn’t prepared.
9. Pandemics
The Covid-19 pandemic has taken up most of 2020, while we witnessed empty grocery shelves for certain items for months on end. Toilet paper, paper towels, hand sanitizer, and other disinfectants were extremely hard to find, along with several of our favorite food items. You just never know when the next pandemic that has the potential of being significantly worse will come back around. In case you missed this post, 30 Items You Need To Survive A Pandemic
10. Unemployment
You just never know when you could lose your job or be sent home without work for an uncertain period of time. Covid-19 sent millions of America’s workers home and made it harder to keep food on the table and bills being paid on time. An emergency food pantry will be something nice that you can fall back on should you ever be left without work and can’t afford to buy groceries and rent. In case you missed this post, Unemployment Checks Ending: Things to Consider
11. History Has a Way of Repeating Itself
The stock market crash of 1929 had a devastating impact on our country, as well as for the rest of the world. Millions of people lost their jobs and homes, making it harder to feed and provide for their families. It was so bad that there were reports of people that were even jumping out of skyscrapers. It’s been said that history has a way of repeating itself, so if this unfortunate situation were to happen again in our lifetime, would you be prepared?
12. We are Living in Some of the Most Uncertain Times
Let’s be honest, just in the past few years, the citizens of the United States of America have become extremely divided in their views, especially pertaining to politics, social justice, and police reform. This summer we had several violent and destructive riots going on in many cities across the nation. What would you do if there were violent protests or riots in your neighborhood?
Final Word
There are so many other reasons why you should prep. EMP attacks, solar flares, and cyberattacks are other threats that may seem like something out of a science fiction movie, but they are also potential threats that are very real. If any one of these situations I mentioned above were to ever happen to you, there’s the chance that you wouldn’t find the food and supplies that you need if you wait till the last minute. You have to be prepared before the disaster comes! May God Bless this world, Linda.
Copyright Images: Business Report AdobeStock_383467289 by Skorzewiak
Yup cause it’s my JOB as a Man, Husband, Father and Grandfather to care for those around me. It pays dividends to do so because it comes back around as well.
Hi Matt, AND you are the perfect example to all around you! Your family is so lucky to have you! Stay safe! Happy New Year, Matt!! Linda
Matt, I agree, but not just men should take charge of prepping. Women need to do it also. Together with their men, if they have one. I do, but he’s not as big into prepping as I am. I prep for all the reasons above. And to be able to help my children just like my mother did me when I needed it. I love knowing that I have something to eat in storage. And that I can help my children if/when needed.
Linda, I love what all you teach us and remind us to do. You are awesome to do this for others. I love this site. I check your post first, before others.
I agree with you and I’m fortunate that mine is onboard with me.
Hi Deborah, oh you just made my day! We are so lucky to have readers that can talk to each other and learn from one another. Life is good when you have kind people around! Happy New Year, Linda
And this is why I love this site so much. It seems we all love to help one another. And we care for each other. No arguments. We may disagree on some things, but we all have our own opinions and respect each other. I like everyone here.
Hi Deborah, we really are lucky with the people in our group here. We all bring so much to the table. Linda
Two thumbs up, Deborah. I think it’s Linda’s calm, sensible nature that encourages polite behavior here. It’s a rare gift, especially in these times.
Hi Roxanne, oh you are so nice! Thank you for your kind words, they mean so much to me. Linda
Exactly, Matt. The number one reason to prepare is because it’s the duty of any man or woman is to provide for and protect their family.
I stay prepared because I was raised that way! My parents went into a sort of panic mode if the shelves were starting to show – I mean the boards themselves were showing meaning we had used a lot of our storage. Mom used to say, I see the shelf – better plan on a major shopping trip. Of course, we canned a lot during the seasons so we actually wanted those shelves to start becoming bare near harvest times.
That brings to mind, though that we also need to be prepared for crop failures like we saw earlier in the year in the Midwest. I know that there will be someone who says that the failures were for corn that was destined to feed cattle, hogs, etc. But my point is that even if the crops that failed were not destined to feed humans directly, the price of meat was gonna go up! Knowing that I have freeze dried meat as well as meat in the freezer is powerful. Knowing that I can take a little meat and stretch it with my canned or freeze dried veggies is also a powerful thought.
I prep so I don’t have to fear the unknown coming to land on my doorstep.
Hi Leanne, I have to agree with you on the crop failures. They have been destined to feed cattle but come on a lot of different crops failed. We even saw milk being dumped and so many fruits and vegetables that no one could pick fast enough because the borders were closed. They were plowed under, man. We have to pray others really saw the “light” and got their shelves and pantries, etc. stocked. You and I will not fear because we know how to be prepared. Happy New Year, Linda
Linda:
My husband saw the newsletter that you sent out and asked me what “Prepping” was. Can you believe this? I have been talking about this forever and he asks me what Prepping is. Then he goes on that we have plenty to last us for a long time. I am going to have my daughter start to get a couple extra items each time she shops and When I go to Smiths I will get everything on my online coupon list and he can’t complain about that Now can he.
I will not eat beans every day for 3 meals a day. I like beans but my systems as wonky as it is can’t take that.
Hi Jackie, I love beans but I agree with you 3 times a day is a bit much. We need a variety that’s for sure. If your husband sees the empty shelves he will soon realize the dilemma we are all in. The stores are getting good at hiding it by pulling the cans and boxes forward so it appears there is more food than there really is on the shelves. Happy New Year! Linda
Happy New Year to you Linda.
I know that a lot of people get these pepper meals like the MRE’s the Military uses and I can use the MRE’s if I can find them. But the ones that are sold online I can’t eat nor can my family because they are filled with Sodium, Sugar and for me Sulfates, Sulfites or Sulfonamides and that can kill me. So I will just keep on getting things from the grocery that we can use and saving them.
Again I want to wish you and everyone on the list a Happy New Year
Hi Jackie, thank you, my friend! I do not buy any MRE’s. I can cook from scratch so there is no need for me to buy those. And based on your health issues you should not buy them either, so we are good! Happy New Year! Linda
We prep so we don’t need to take from others at times of need.
We prep so we can help our children and grandchildren if the need arises.
We prep because it gives us security.
We prep because we know what it means to go without.
We prep because it simply make sense.
Hi Chris, I LOVE LOVE LOVE these 5 statements! It’s so true, you nailed it! Thank you, Linda
We have a local weather forecaster here who really goes the extra mile to help us stay on alert during severe weather! (Redzone Weather is the app. It covers Mississippi, Alabama and NW Florida. )
One of Spinks Meginison’s best pieces of advice. … wear a helmet when there’s a chance of tornadoes, hail, hurricanes etc causing roof / structure damage. In a pinch, even a kitchen pot can protect your head.
We had our helmets handy for several of the hurricanes here in NW Florida that had microbursts & tornadoes embedded in them!
Hi BDN, wow, that’s a great idea about the helmets! I love hearing your local weather forecaster goes the extra mile to alert those that need to be alerted about the coming storms! Great tip on the app! Thank you, Linda
I found Redzone Weather during Hurricane Michael, the destructive Cat 5 storm that hit Mexico Beach, Tyndall AFB & Panama City, Florida 2 years ago & left a swath of massive damage over 100 miles wide & several hundred miles long across 4 or 5 states before it dissipated. Spinks gave concise, accurate facts, not drama. He’s based in Brewton, AL, but focuses on our whole area, especially the little communities.
We found nice bicycle & horseback riding helmets at yard sales for well under $10. I’ve also seen the bicycle helmets in thrift stores. Check to make sure the straps are complete & that the shell & inner structures are solid.
We had never even brought the helmets out in other years. But I remember one hurricane this past season where we were getting new tornado warnings every 15 minutes for several hours. Kept those helmets handy that night!
Happy New Year to all!
Hi BDN, wow, great comment for sure! Cat 5 YIKES! I love thrift stores and garage sales, it’s a great way to save money! Happy New Year! Linda
Seems like the biggest obstacle to prepping is actually seeing the value in being prepared. And I disagree with those who feel one must become a “super prepper”, hardcore and make it their main priority. Many of us already have some “survival skills” and can bath, cook, clean up after ourselves and so on. But one still has to be ready, know what to buy, what to do and how to deal with the given crisis. There is a minimum of effort required.
Having lots of skills, knowledge and experience is a benefit, but if one is well supplied and knows how to use or make use of what they stock and own, they have a good chance to deal with a disaster. Nobody should feel intimidated or fear that prepping is complicated. And therefore in any situation there will be many survivors and some will manage, even if they lack the gear and skills of a prepper or survivalist. In the most dire or extreme situations, those best and/or better prepared will naturally have the best chances for survival. If the unprepared or poorly equipped applied themselves they’d fare much better.
For the “usual” emergencies, most people can survive and even help others if they stop procrastinating or telling themselves that this or that is not necessary or nothing will happen or worst yet, they’re worried about what all the unprepared people think. They’re worried about the opinions of those who fail to prepare and will most certainly suffer the most. I find this sad and tragic.
Hi Frank. great comment, it made me really think outside the box. I believe people can survive if they are put in a position to have to survive. We have to give credit to those who do prep because they see the need. I sometimes wonder what my neighborhood will do if a disaster should occur. I do not worry about others’ opinions, I must be prepared for my family. But I hadn’t really thought about people being worried about opinions. That is sad, I love your comment. Linda