12 Reasons Why You Should Prep

Being prepared for a natural disaster doesn’t make you a crazy person, as 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 a very rational thing to do. 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. I’ve updated this article from December 2020.

Related: 8 Ways to Convince Your Loved Ones to Prep

If COVID-19 wasn’t enough reason to convince people to prep, I’m not sure 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 occurs. Here are 12 reasons why you should consider prepping. 

12 Reasons Why You Should Prep

1. Power Outages

Out of all the reasons I have listed to prep, a power outage is the most likely to occur. You may think it’s not necessarily dangerous, but it could become one if the power is out for an extended period. Especially if it takes place during a cold winter storm or the sweltering summer months. Would you have the supplies to keep your family from freezing to death or having a heat stroke while cooping 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 for a hurricane to be followed by another hurricane. In case you missed this post, How to Prep for Hurricane Season

 You must be prepared for them if you live near the coast. Your family’s lives could depend on it. Along with prepping supplies, you must have an evacuation plan ready should the weather experts tell you you must leave 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 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 could take a few days off. 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. You must have the appropriate supplies and an evacuation plan, 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; 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. Unfortunately, a few insurance companies are canceling homeowner and vehicle policies in some areas.

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, and we have witnessed empty grocery shelves for specific items for months. Toilet paper, paper towels, hand sanitizer, and other disinfectants were extremely hard to find, along with several of our favorite food items. You never know when the next pandemic that could be significantly worse will come back around. In case you missed this post, 30 Items You Need To Survive A Pandemic

10. Unemployment

You never know when you could lose your job or be sent home without work for an uncertain period. 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 on the rest of the world. Millions 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 jumping out of skyscrapers. It’s been said that history has a way of repeating itself, so would you be prepared if this unfortunate situation were to happen again in our lifetime?    

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?

Almost every day now, I see on the news that they will not stop; people are angry. People are upset over gas prices and the cost of food, to name a few. How can families feed their families, I ask you? My fear is that food stamps, EBT, or food banks are overloaded with requests. What is they abruptly run out of food or funds?

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 of these situations I mentioned above were to ever happen to you, there’s the chance you wouldn’t find the food and supplies 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, Empty Grocery Store Shelf AdobeStock_507423660 By Halfpoint

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