You never know when disaster will strike. Natural disasters such as earthquakes and tornadoes can come out of nowhere. For this reason, it is imperative that you are ready to protect your family through times of uncertainty. Here are three ways that you can prepare your family for a serious natural disaster.

Education

When it comes to preparing for a natural disaster, an ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure. Education is empowerment, and your mind is the best tool to have during any type of disaster situation. In today's connected world, people tend to ignore the importance of basic survival skills. Put yourself in the best position to handle any type of disaster by learning these skills. You can also prepare for the worst by having a plan in place before disaster strikes. It is vital that your whole family is on the same page with the emergency preparedness plan so that everyone knows what to do.

Food Supplies

Adequate food and water are essential if a disaster strikes and cuts you off from being able to procure sustenance. You should plan to keep two gallons of water per person per day on hand. Nonperishable foods such as canned goods and peanut butter may also prove to be invaluable. Be sure that you have a manual can opener with your stash of food in case you do not have electricity. When it comes to vacuum sealing, mylar bags have some advantages because they will not allow oxygen, moisture, or light through. This type of sealing is conducive to long-term storage, making it a good choice for all of your preparations.

Safety Supplies

In addition to sufficient food and water stores, you also need to have the right safety supplies on hand. In the event of an immediate disaster, you may not have time to gather the supplies and materials that you'll need to thrive. This makes it important that you have them ready to go in a designated place. Items to include in your stash include a first aid kit, flashlights with batteries, pet supplies, medications and a battery-operated radio.

Unfortunately, you can never be fully prepared for a large disaster. However, there are definitive steps that you can take to alleviate the potential danger to your family. Following these three tips will ensure that you are ready for whatever heads your way.

You might also be interested in this article: How to Navigate a Financial Emergency

(BPT) - When the calendar flips to a new year, many people are inspired to make resolutions, promising productivity, healthy lifestyles, self-care and more. But all New Year’s goals require making time for what you set out to do — and a little planning goes a long way.

No matter your resolutions, here are easy tips to make the most of each day, accomplish your goals and still have time to spare:

Get ready the night before

Make your morning routine easier by getting organized the night before. Prepare your breakfast and coffee. Choose your outfit and set it by your bed. Pack your bag and place it by the door so you’re ready to go. Let your nighttime energy fuel you in the morning.

Spend less time on chores

Household chores are time consuming and, let’s face it, not many people look forward to cleaning and laundry. Invest in ways to lighten your load, like the LG TurboWash 360, which has features that help you get more chores done in less time. It can tackle family-sized loads in less than 30 minutes without sacrificing performance, so your clothes don’t pile up. Shorter wash times and energy-saving capabilities save you both time and money.

Stick to a sleep schedule

The first step in reaching your goals is making sure you’re in good health. One of the most important, and difficult, aspects of good health is sleep. You’ll feel more refreshed and ready to take on the day if you establish a solid sleep schedule and stick to it. To set your schedule, pick the time you want to wake up every day and count back seven to eight hours — that’s your new bedtime.

Get a good calendar

Maximize your time by having a plan for each week. Whether you use a notebook checklist, the calendar on your smartphone or invest in a year-long planner, you’ll always have your plan on-hand and never miss a deadline or to-do list item.

Become a meal prepper

Set aside time each week to plan your meals and prep them too. Chop fruits and vegetables, pre-cook meats, and cook pasta or rice in advance so you can pull together easy meals in no time. This saves you time and money, and helps you eat healthier when you’re tempted to grab fast food on your busiest days.

When each day feels full to the brim, follow these tips to maximize each hour and be more productive in the new year.

5 Ways to Avoid an Energy Crash

(Family Features) If you start each day motivated but find your energy tends to fade throughout the day, a few simple and easy-to-implement changes to your routine could make all the difference. Minor adjustments to your eating habits, exercise routine and mental attitude can help boost energy levels so you can power through the day feeling fully charged.

Tune in. Take the silence out of a dull morning with some of your favorite music to help ensure you’re starting the day on a positive note. Turn on the radio while you’re showering, plug in headphones while preparing breakfast or set a “wake up and get ready” playlist on shuffle during your commute.

Start with breakfast. It’s fairly common to skip breakfast if you’re in a rush to get out the door, but those few minutes you save in the morning can end up costing you as the day wears on. That’s because breakfast quite literally breaks your overnight fast and sends signals to your body that it’s time to kick back into gear for the day. With a convenient option like the Nescafé Coffee Protein Smoothie, you can hack your morning routine so that you can get more out of your day. Made with real 100 percent Colombian Arabica coffee, oats and almond butter, this ready-to-drink smoothie contains 15 grams of plant-based protein and as much caffeine as one cup of coffee to help you prepare for the day ahead.

Get creative. If you typically spend your mornings focused on routine tasks, give your brain some creative freedom. Carving out time during the day for an activity you enjoy, such as sketching or coloring, watching inspirational videos, meditating or even brainstorming outside-the-box ideas for a fictional client, can help increase productivity when you turn your focus back to the task at hand.

Shake up your afternoon pick-me-up. Mornings can go by in the blink of an eye, but afternoons sometimes seem to drag. A little boost may be all you need to keep going. Reward your hard work with an option like a Nescafé Cold Whipped Latte and enjoy a perfectly indulgent afternoon treat. Give it a quick shake and the chilled blend of coffee, creamy milk and coffee or French vanilla flavors create layers of barista-inspired froth and foam to deliver a coffee-shop experience right at your desk.

Prep for the next day. If you’re apt to take your work home with you, consider jotting down any end-of-day work thoughts and tasks for the following day before you leave for the night. Keeping a physical to-do list or journal can provide a starting point for the next morning. This can help prevent forgetfulness, reduce stress and potentially aid in getting a better night’s sleep because your brain isn’t buzzing from trying to keep a mental checklist.

Find more inspiration to energize your morning and shake up the afternoon at Nescafe.com/us.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images (employees in meeting)

Preparing an Emergency Plan for Your Unique Needs

(Family Features) Disasters such as hurricanes, floods, fires and other emergency situations are all too common these days. In fact, about 4 out of 5 Americans live in counties hit by weather events since 2007, according to disaster declaration data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). That illustrates how these events can impact nearly everyone and the importance of having a plan.

This is particularly true for older people and people with disabilities. Health issues, mobility concerns and use of assistive devices can create additional challenges during emergencies. However, there are simple steps everyone can take to prepare now for what may come later.

• Discuss your plan. Talk about preparedness with friends, neighbors and family members. Contact your city or county emergency management office as well as service providers, such as meals programs. Discussing the topic can help you create a support network, find local resources for preparation and identify contents for a custom emergency kit.

• Create a contact list. Make a list of people and places you can turn to for support in an emergency, including people you may need to help or notify of your safety. Include phone numbers, email addresses and physical addresses. Also include insurance providers, health care professionals and medical supply companies. Keep one copy on hand and put another copy in a watertight container in your emergency kit.

• Prep for power outages. Ask your health care providers about how to prepare for power outages, especially if you depend on medical devices that use electricity, such as oxygen, dialysis or a power wheelchair. Write down your plan, along with information about your devices, and keep a copy in your emergency kit.

• Make a list of all medications and medical supplies. Keep a list of your medicines, including dosages and allergies, along with other essential supplies like extra eyeglasses, hearing-aid batteries and at least a week’s supply of all prescription medicines in your emergency kit.

• Plan for transportation. Have a plan in place in case you need to evacuate or get to health care services during an emergency. Know what equipment you need and how you will transport it. Perhaps a neighbor or family member can include you in their evacuation plans. Set this up beforehand and plan how to coordinate in the event of a disaster.

• Plan for pets and service animals. Include food, medications and other supplies your pets may need in your emergency kit, too.

• Pack the essentials. In addition to your medical information and needs, don’t forget essentials such as non-perishable food, water, a weather radio, a flashlight, extra batteries, blankets, cash, extra clothing and personal hygiene items. Keep your emergency kit in an easy-to-access location.

Learn more about preparedness at acl.gov/programs/emergency-preparedness.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images