Five Jamaican Proverbs that Encourage Preparedness

Jamaican proverbs are a rich source of wisdom, practical advice and values which offer timeless lessons that are relevant for any situation such as hurricanes.

The forecast for this hurricane season is that it will be extremely active. JN General Insurance urges everyone to prioritise preparation. Here are eight Jamaican proverbs that underscore the importance of preparing:

1. ‘Nuh wait till drum beat before yuh grine yuh axe’

Explanation: Do not wait until the last minute to prepare.

Start preparing for a hurricane well in advance to ensure everything is in place before it arrives.  Make use of the good weather now to repair roof, install hurricane shutters, reinforce windows and doors, trim trees, and clear any debris from your yard that could become dangerous projectiles in high winds.  Familiarise yourself with your evacuation routes and emergency shelters in advance so you know where to go if you have to evacuate quickly.  Also, waiting until the last minute to get essential supplies could result in them being out of stock due to the high demand at that time.

2. ‘One one cocoa full basket’

Explanation: Small, consistent efforts lead to achieving a larger goal.

Gradual preparation, such as buying emergency supplies little by little, ensures you are ready when a hurricane hits.  Check that your emergency supplies include water, medication, flashlights, batteries, first aid supplies, cash and four to five days of non-perishable food.

3. ‘Who cyaan hear will feel’

Explanation: Those who do not heed warnings will face the consequences.

Ignoring advice to insure your property can result in severe losses and hardships after a hurricane. Ensure that your property is insured for the full replacement value to safeguard financial security against potential losses.

4. ‘Prevention betta dan cure’

Explanation: It is better to prevent a problem than to deal with its consequences later.

The effort put into safeguarding property before a hurricane is ultimately more beneficial and less costly than the struggle of recovery and rebuilding after a hurricane.

5. ‘Fire deh a mus-mus tail him tink a cool breeze’

Explanation: Do not underestimate the severity of a situation.

Do not be complacent; take hurricane warnings seriously.  If you live in a flood-prone area, leave before the hurricane makes landfall.

The Atlantic Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. Proactive measures taken today can make all the difference if a hurricane strikes. Be prepared!