How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse
Zombies, in all their gruesome forms, have captured the attention of the world in recent years spawning hundreds of movies, TV shows, and video games. Whether a zombie wants your brain or general destruction it’s clear that it should never be near you or the people you care about. Your home might be the first place to hunker down but is it zombie-proof? Learn how to survive a zombie apocalypse including a checklist of items to prepare for a long time indoors.
Can a Zombie Apocalypse Happen?
Sure, a zombie apocalypse is horrifying, but it’s only a matter of fiction, right? Yes, as far as we know. Charles Calisher, a virologist at Colorado State University, noted that predicting biological events can be problematic due to the number of variables, some of which are unknown. This certainly doesn’t mean that a dreadful future is looming in the distance, but it does mean that there is a lot more to discover about how the combinations of various factors affect outcomes.
Regardless of the possibility of a zombie takeover, considering situations like it can help you prepare for other emergency situations and mitigate disaster. There are two main considerations that must be made before preparing for an apocalypse— essential supplies and shelter.
Gather Essential Supplies
According to our natural disaster preparedness survey, 60% of people in areas that regularly face natural disasters said they are only minimally prepared or not prepared at all. You’ll need some essential supplies to survive a zombie-apocalypse like:
Food & Water
Non-perishable, high-energy foods such as canned goods, dried fruits, and protein bars should be part of your stockpile. Also, ensure a source of clean water, either through bottled water or a portable water filtration system.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends having at least 72-hours’ supply of nonperishable food and water (1 gallon per person per day).
First Aid Kit
An extensive first aid kit is vital. It should include bandages, antiseptics, pain relievers, and any prescription medications.
Tools
A multi-tool, a fire-starting kit, and a flashlight with spare batteries are essential. You’ll also want a radio and an external power source for it.
Hygiene and Sanitation Supplies
Often overlooked but obvious when unavailable items like soap, hand sanitizer, menstrual products, and toilet paper can help you maintain health and comfort during a trying time.
Clothing
Pack clothing suitable for various weather conditions, including waterproof gear. Blankets aren’t clothing but you’ll want to stash some of those away as well.
Secure Your Location
If you’re fortunate enough to fully secure your home against a horde of zombies before they arrive, you’ll want to:
- Choose a Defensible Location: Places with more visibility are better than those without. You’ll also want to find easily defensible checkpoints.
- Fortify the Perimeter: Reinforce doors and windows with sturdy materials like plywood or sandbags. Create barricades or take advantage of the fences and gates you already have!
- Establish Safe Zones: A safe zone in a house is a designated area within your home that you fortify and stock with essential supplies to provide maximum safety and security during an emergency or disaster. Basements are typical choices given the sturdy walls and space to store essential supplies.
On the other hand, if the zombies are already breaking your windows and doors, gather your family and make your way to wherever you stored all your supplies.
Protecting Your Basement from Zombies
Stockpiling supplies is easy, but having extra blankets won’t mean anything if they get wet. You’ll be sorely disappointed if hundreds of dollars of preparations are ruined by mold due to humidity in your basement or wet from flooding during a hurricane.
3 signs that your basement wouldn’t survive a zombie apocalypse:
- Bowing Basement Walls: Unfortunately, bends in your basement wall will only get worse over time resulting in collapse. Since your walls are keeping out the elements, it won’t be good news if a catastrophe strikes in the mid-winter.
- Water in Your Basement: Water pooling in your basement is not a good sign. Not only will water thwart your family’s comfort as they take shelter, but it also promotes the growth of mold. If you’ve seen The Last of Us, you know that mold can spell doom for your family and only gets worse during hot summer months.
- Musty Smells in Your Basement: The stuffy smell in your basement is not unavoidable. The musty smell is a sign that mold might already be present in your basement which means you’re already susceptible to the elements in some form.
Even though the odds of a zombie invasion are as slim as a zombie on a diet, contemplating such scenarios can help you prepare for real-life emergencies and disasters.
If you’re seeing signs of moisture in your basement, you’ll need to get an inspection from a basement waterproofing expert long before a zombie apocalypse arrives. Don’t wait until disaster strikes, be proactive to secure your family and home.
Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation inspection.
FAQs
In The Last of Us, a real fungus— Ophiocordyceps unilateralis— evolved to infect humans due to global warming. According to Scott Baker, a fungal biologist for the U.S. Department of Energy, it’s more likely that if the fungi evolved to withstand higher temperatures it would make some people sick. That said, there are several diseases that cause zombie-like symptoms you already know like rabies, mad cow disease, and leprosy.
Yes! Basement moisture can weaken your home’s foundation leading to structural damage, including cracks and foundation settlement. Moreover, it creates an ideal environment for mold and mildew growth, posing health risks and requiring costly remediation. The cost of ignoring a wet basement outweighs the costs of repair and waterproofing.
There are some things you can do to stop the problem from snowballing, including removing standing water from the basement and trying to control the humidity. Doing this will help control the situation and the damages dampness can cause. Nonetheless, it is of the utmost importance that you contact a basement waterproofing professional to assess the situation because of the way it can undermine the structural integrity of your home.