Although lightning-related fatalities have declined over the past few decades, lightning still claims more lives than tornadoes or hurricanes each year. A lightning bolt can reach temperatures of approximately 50,000-degrees Fahrenheit, which is five times hotter than the sun’s surface, and can travel at speeds up to 90,000 miles per second. These facts make lightning particularly problematic for homeowners in thunderstorm-prone areas.

What to buy, what to skip

Consider life in a world without electricity, the grocery store or access to your car. This may sound far-fetched, but all it takes are a couple of days without electricity for this to become reality. An earthquake, hurricane, tornado or an ice storm can cause this to happen. Extreme heat can even turn into an emergency in the right conditions. Because Mother Nature is unpredictable, we here at RetailMeNot want you to know how to be well prepared for an emergency. Here’s what you need to buy, and what you can skip as you prepare your home for an eventual emergency situation.

Emergencies come in many forms, and they may require anything from a brief absence from your home to permanent evacuation. Each type of disaster requires different measures to keep your pets safe, so the best thing you can do for yourself and your pets is to be prepared. Here are simple steps you can follow now to make sure you’re ready before the next disaster strikes:

Disaster can strike at any time, and with little notice. Whether you live in an area that's at risk for a blizzard, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquake or forest fire, you need to be prepared. Building a disaster preparedness kit will ensure your family is well protected when disaster strikes, whether you are left without power for a few days or find that you have to evacuate suddenly.

The Importance of a Personal Support Network

The American Red Cross recommends that senior citizens create a personal support network made up of several individuals who will check in on you in an emergency, to ensure your wellness and to give assistance if needed. This network can consist of friends, roommates, family members, relatives, personal attendants, co-workers and neighbors. Ideally, a minimum of three people can be identified at each location where you regularly spend time, for example at work, home, school or volunteer site.

There are seven important items to discuss and implement with a personal support network:

A disaster can happen at a moment's notice, leaving your family stranded and searching for a way out, or it can come with warning, giving you time to prep and plan. Since so many disasters happen unexpectedly, it's important to have a plan in place to know what you will do when a disaster occurs. Here are some tips to help you the next time you face a disaster.