Disasters affect thousands of people’s lives every year. Every disaster has it's own lasting effect on people. People are seriously injured, some are killed, family pets lost, and property damage costs run into the billions of dollars.

If a disaster should occur in your community, local government and disaster-relief organizations will try to help you. The problem is, they can't get to everyone as quickly as they might need, or they may need to focus their efforts elsewhere. You need to be ready to save yourself and your family on your own, or until help does arrive.

Being prepared and understanding what to do can reduce fear and anxiety. Communities, families and individuals should know what to do in the event of a Hurricane, and where to seek shelter in a tornado. We should be ready to evacuate our homes, and find refuge in public shelters, and know how to care for our own basic medical needs.

We may also be able to reduce the impact of some disasters, by flood proofing our homes, or elevating our home. We can secure items that could shake loose in an earthquake, and sometimes avoid the danger altogether.

You should know how to respond to severe storms, or any disaster that could occur in your area, like hurricanes, earthquakes, extreme cold or flooding. You should also be ready to be self sufficient for at least three days, five if possible. This could mean providing your own shelter and warmth, first aid, emergency food, water and sanitation.

While this article focuses on the physical hazards of disasters, there are also the emotional effects of losing a loved one, a pet, a home, or valued possessions. When under stress, people can become irritable, fatigued, angry or withdrawn. Children and older adults are especially susceptible to post-disaster psychological effects, and should seek out a counselor who can help.

Share this information with your family; try to include everyone in the planning process. Teach children how to respond to emergencies, and give them an idea of what to expect if there were an actual disaster. Being prepared, rehearsed, and understanding your risks by taking steps to reduce those risks, can often reduce some of the damages caused by disasters, and quite possibly save a life.