05/11/2025
We live near the river. There’s no history of flooding here, and thankfully, even with all the heavy rains lately including the typhoon recently, we haven’t experienced any.
Still, seeing what happened in Cebu — areas that also had no history of flooding now badly flooded. — makes you realize that no place is ever completely safe.
Almost two years ago, we had some leftover steel angle bars from our home renovation. Instead of throwing them away, I decided to make something useful out of them — a simple emergency ladder leading to our roof. Nothing fancy, just welded steel. But in times like this, that simple thing could be what saves us.
I know some might say I’m overly prepared, but I honestly don’t mind. Preparedness isn’t about expecting disaster, it’s about making sure we have a way out when the time comes. Watching people struggle to reach their roofs, some trapped on the second floor with no way out, reminded me why that ladder is life-saving.
Luckily, we haven’t had to use that ladder for any emergency, and hopefully we never will. But it’s there — ready if ever the time comes. It could also be useful in other emergencies like fire and even for small DIY repairs since I can easily access the roof.
Hopefully, this gives others an idea too. If you live near water or in low areas, think ahead. A few steps of preparation today could mean safety for your family tomorrow.