10 tips to prepare for a natural disaster – CNET

Gather all your favorite photos, scan them — if they’re not already digital — and save them on a memory card you can take with you if you evacuate. Make a copy of your memory card and mail it to an out-of-state friend or relative, just in case the original gets lost or damaged.

vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.

The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.

Another good idea — just in case — is to email yourself your favorite photos. This way, they will be safe and dry, no matter what. I have a folder in my Gmail account where I save photos that I’ve taken and photos family and friends have emailed me over the years.

When your phone is your only lifeline, you need to make sure it will last as long as possible. To save the battery, turn off Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS and location services. Here are some more tips.

It’s always good to have a couple portable phone chargers ready in case you need to flee. The Zagg ($50) is my charger of choice because it’s reliable, but a charger that you can recharge using the sun, like the Portable Solar Power Bank ($25) or the Anker Solar Charger ($52) are smart choices, too.

Get all of your important documents, like birth certificates, marriage certificates, passports, bonds and other items and put them in a waterproof storage bag. A zippered gallon freezer bag will work. Keep the bag somewhere where you can grab it and pack it in a moment’s notice. 

As many people find out in evacuation circumstances, drinking water becomes a scarcity quickly. You can make sure you have water no matter what by packing devices that can purify rain, river or puddle water for drinking. LifeStraw Go Water Bottle ($45) or the Icon LifeSaver ($150) are good choices. 

If you suspect that evacuation may be in your future, keep your car’s gas tank topped off at all times. During an emergency fuel can become scarce and you may not have time to fill up anyway.

Remember, shelters do not take animals during emergency situations.Your pets will need to evacuate with you, so don’t forget to make a plan for them, too. Keep freeze-dried pet food and a collapsible water bowl in the trunk of your car, for example, so you can have it ready to go.