Dorothy had to fly, via Whirl Wind Air, I might add, all the
way to Oz to realize this.
However, as the Back To School sales pop up everywhere and the once
wide-open parking lots begin to fill, we realize that it is that time of year
again and that home, the summer hub of activity, changes once again.
Home is where your heart is, where you hang your hat, or any
other phrases coined in prose and song. However, even with its changing titles and roles
throughout your life, it is a constant for many. It’s the place that children drift back to or old friends
gather. Even if it is temporary,
such as an apartment or dorm, it is our place of refuge.
Given its esteem, the home should have the honor of being
the best place to be should something happen that disrupts the normal. It could be something fleeting, such as
a heavy rain storm, or longer term, such as an extended illness. Regardless of that unforeseen event,
whatever you call home needs to be ready to hold and secure you.
If you live in southern California, the two biggest worries
(I should think) would be fire and earthquakes. Sure, there is that 100-year flood scenario or the more
localized, but heart-breaking shooting incidents, but with our seemingly more
frequent periods of drought and the San Andreas Fault statistically “ready” to
give a good shake, fire and earthquakes are really what we should prepare
for. And when I say “prepare for”
I am focusing today on the home.
If one of those events happens and you are not at home, what
do you worry about? Home, of
course. There is no magic bubble
to surround your home, although honestly I have not looked at the latest
Hammacher Schlemmer catalog..., so you need to do what you can do. Prepare your home for disasters.
The steps are simple.
Make a list, make a plan, get the stuff, store the stuff, let important
people know your plan. Sure, it
will take some time, but the tradeoff is worth it. Envision – a major earthquake hits and you are at work. Will you be anxious about your
home? Of course. But, if you are prepared at home, you
will have things set in place to take care of your home and your loved ones. You will have given a trusty neighbor a
key to check your pets. You will
have a plan for where your children will go after school. You will have a neighborhood plan to
shut off your gas line if they smell gas at your meter. Everyone in your family will have Aunt
Bertha’s phone number to call, so she can keep track of everyone.
It’s simple really.
And if you are not convinced, just click your heals 3 times. I know it works.
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