Zombie Preparedness Really Works

You're probably thinking that a zombie attack sounds ridiculous, right? As a matter of fact, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has built an effective preparedness campaign on the backs of our brain-eating zombie friends. Zombies have been made a part of pop-culture through shows such as ‘The Walking Dead’, and people of all ages are now familiar with the horror and panic that would ensue if the zombies actually did attack. Unfortunately, about half of adults in the United States do not have the resources and plans in place for a possible emergency.

There are 2 things you need to do before the zombie attack (or terrorist attack), a major hurricane, tornado, or pandemic actually happens? First, create an emergency kit and then develop a strategic emergency plan for you and your family. Taking these actions now will increase your odds of surviving any natural disaster or catastrophic event.

Emergency Kit

A well conceived and maintained emergency kit will buy you some time until you are able to make your way to an evacuation shelter or utility lines are restored. Below are a few items you should include in your kit, for a full list visit the CDC Emergency page.

• Water (1 gallon per person per day)
• Food (stock up on non-perishable items that you eat regularly)
• Medications (this includes prescription and non-prescription meds)
• Tools and Supplies (utility knife, duct tape, battery powered radio, etc.)
• Sanitation and Hygiene (household bleach, soap, towels, etc.)
• Clothing and Bedding (a change of clothes for each family member and blankets)
• Important documents (copies of your driver’s license, passport, and birth certificate to name a few)
• First Aid supplies (although you’re a goner if a zombie bites you, you can use these supplies to treat basic cuts and lacerations that you might get during a tornado or hurricane)

We are all concerned with the safety of ourselves and our immediate family. So, once you have your emergency kit, it’s time to gather up the family and devise an emergency plan for escaping the zombie apocalypse (or getting out of harm’s way when the next flood or hurricane hits the gulf coast).

• Identify the types of emergencies that are possible in your area. Besides a zombie apocalypse, Louisiana is prone to hurricanes and floods. Other possible situations include thunderstorms, tornadoes and terrorist attacks.
• Pick a meeting place for your family to regroup. Pick one place right outside your home for sudden emergencies and one place further outside of your neighborhood in case you are unable to return home right away.
• Identify your emergency contacts. Your list should include local contacts like the police, fire department, and your local hospital. You should also identify an out-of-state contact that you can call during an emergency to let the rest of your family know you are ok.
• Plan your evacuation route. Run Forrest, RUN! In the event of a catastrophic event you’ll need to get out of town fast. It’s important to have a place to retreat and multiple routes planned to get there safely.

The likelihood of a zombie attack is quite remote, but you should always be prepared as if they are coming tomorrow. Have the brains to prepare now because that’s all the zombies want to eat anyway.