There is no doubt that Hurricane Sandy made an impact on
people from all walks of life along the Eastern seaboard. Many homes,
businesses and places of work faced (and some still are facing) being without
power-- and the big question is how soon things can get back to up and runningas many workers stay home. But what about the unique position of those that
work from home? How do they get up and running? While Hurricane Sandy may have
been a terrible disaster, it has also been a powerful teacher on emergency
preparedness for many people in more ways than one.
Emergency preparedness is a must no matter what the weather
phenomenon. If you work from home and were
stuck in the path of Hurricane Sandy, you're probably learning, albeit trial by
fire. But for work from home employees
that don't want to be prepared, consider these tips:
The number one priority
is to do your best to stay connected. While there are a number of things
that can work against you on this, you are less likely to be completely immobilized
if you have a hand crank charger to charge your cell or smart phone with when
the electricity is completely out. These typically come with a number of USB cords
and can charge an array of electronic device. They may also come with an LED
flashlight, radio and other handy
extras.
A hotspot for getting
on the internet. (Another idea is to head to a venue where there is free
wi-fi-- if possible.)
A charging cable for
phones and laptops that can be plugged into a car. If your car isn't under
water or in a tree, this can be extremely helpful.
USB drives. Helpful for backing up important files or transferring files between your devices or printer.
Portable printer and a backup battery. Don't forget ink cartridges!
Printer paper. In a waterproof/tear-proof bag.
Portable scanner. Not always necessary for every work from home job but still…
Plastic bags of all shapes and sizes and a case for carrying all your essentials. In the event you have to be on the move in inclement weather you likely won't want all your stuff getting soggy. (And a case with wheels makes a lot of sense, no?)
A power strip with
surge protector. Even if you're lucky enough to have the power back on, who
knows how stable it could be.
Because the type of work from home jobs that are out there
can vary, this list may be all you need or it may be lacking in certain
"supplies". While it is no one's hope to be in such a situation, don't
wait to figure out be what would make your own list complete. Getting back to
life and making it a smooth transition is one of the best ways to lessen the
trauma of going through such a trying time.
To all those affected by Sandy, it does and can get better.
It will. Life always finds a way.
Yours,
A Hurricane Ike survivor
