Recent events, from the wildfires in California to the hurricanes and flooding in the South, have shown that disasters can affect anyone, regardless of socioeconomic status or geographic location. Faced with these risks, people must assess how to best prepare and how likely a disaster is to occur in their area.

In this article, you'll learn how to be better prepared for a disaster, the psychological biases that contribute to poor risk estimate, and how you can make better decisions to protect yourself.

Practical steps for disaster preparation

Many people suffer from status quo bias—a preference for inaction—and are reluctant to prepare for rare but high-impact events. This bias is further amplified by the discomfort people feel when thinking about or discussing worst-case scenarios. Yet, when a disaster strikes, preparedness is key. People in disaster-prone areas often report having little time to evacuate, grabbing only their pets, a few valuables, and essential documents. Taking proactive steps now can make all the difference in an emergency.  

Here are a few practical steps you can take today: