THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 12
Doomsday preppers: College edition Suggested steps to prepare for unexpected disasters, emergencies
Toolkit Between things getting broken or buying new furniture which may need to be assembled, students should invest in a small toolkit encompassing the basics, including a hammer and screwdrivers. Some students may not consider themselves handy, but a toolkit can serve a huge purpose for even the simplest repairs.
By Aubrey Vogel @aubrey_vogel
B
eing away from home for the first time can catch many students off-guard, leaving them unprepared for dealing with serious situations, whether it be power outages, sickness or an unplanned weather predicament. With the unpredictability of natural disasters, it is important to plan ahead and be prepared with the needed, and possibly life-changing, supplies. Here is a list of essential supplies students should have ready in case disaster strikes, which may just make their lives easier:
First aid kit Whether students need bandages or some medication to help with an unexpected illness, it is important to have a fully-stocked first aid kit. Ensure the kit is filled correctly with various bandages, sterile gauze and wipes as well as supplies to stop bleeding in case of minor injury. Additionally, students should be sure to include common over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or Tylenol, stomach relief and allergy medicines. Fireproof safe After seeing houses and dorms flooded during the February 2021 winter storm, many students have invested in fireproof safes to protect their valuables from both fires and floods; plus, it is another level of protection from intruders. Safes can help store prescription medications as well as documents like birth certificates and social security cards.
On-campus safety With as often as students are on campus, they may also run into safety concerns while conducting day-today business. Across campus there are a 115 of 12-foot blue poles all bearing a phone which connects students to campus police with the exact location of their emergency. Students can also communicate with dispatch as they wait for emergency services to arrive. Additionally, to keep students safe while navigating campus at night, the Corp of Cadets offers escort services available from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekdays and 24 hours a day on weekends. A Corps member will walk with the student to any place on campus and will provide them with a receipt upon arrival.
Charged power banks From winter storms to general power outages, having a phone die is the biggest inconvenience when the electricity is down, though keeping a power bank on hand can be a lifesaver for phone batteries, literally. Power banks can be found anywhere from Walmart to Amazon and come in various power-holding capabilities, so students should order one if they have not already. Getting the power supply is only one step of the process — it is completely useless without being charged, so be sure the power is always full for use anytime or as a back-up just in case.
Extra security door lock When moving into a new location, students may feel uneasy, especially if they are living alone. To combat these anxieties, individuals should invest in a trusted door lock or deadbolt to ensure they feel safe in their homes.
