Preparing for the Zombie Apocalypse

A Brief History of Zombies and How to Prepare for Zombies Overrunning the Planet

Fear of the living-dead has been a part of human culture for hundreds, possibly thousands, of years. Archaeologists discovered human skeletal remains pinned down by rocks and other heavy objects in ancient Greek graves. Some believe this practice was to prevent the reanimation of dead bodies. With roots in the Voodoo religion and likely originating from 17th century West Africa, zombies were part of Haitian folklore and a reflection of the brutal and horrifying life of those bound into slavery. By the 20th century, zombies had evolved and imprinted on pop culture.

Zombies first appeared on movie screens in 1932's White Zombie. Years later, in 1968, director George A. Romero brought zombies to life in Night of the Living Dead, which many view as a landmark film in the zombie genre. As years passed, zombies developed into more than lumbering, brain-seeking bodies. In Michael Jackson's 1983 music video, "Thriller," audiences saw that zombies have some killer dance moves. Humor and zombies began to mix in movies like Shaun of the Dead (2004), and human-zombie relationships blossomed in films like Warm Bodies (2013). One can now immerse oneself in the life of a character trying to fight off the undead in video games, such as in the Dead Rising series, and experience the drama of relationship and community building while trying to survive in television series like The Walking Dead. Zombies have even invaded classic literature as is evident by Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

With all of this talk about zombies, you may wonder if you would survive a zombie apocalypse. The first and most important rule to surviving is BE PREPARED. Below are a few tips to help you prepare:

Have an emergency kit ready. Include things like: water, food, medication, tools and supplies, sanitation and hygiene materials, clothing and bedding, important documents, and first aid supplies.
Create an emergency plan: 1. Identify the types of emergencies that are possible in your area in addition to zombies (tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, etc.); 2. Pick a place to meet up with your family in case the zombies overrun your home; 3. Create a list of your emergency contacts; 4. Plan your evacuation route.
Stay informed. If reliable sources are not yet overrun by the undead, keep on top of the latest news. Pay attention to places to avoid, where shelters have been put in place, and any mandates that authorities may enact.

For more information on how to prepare for the zombie apocalypse, check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Preparedness 101: Zombie Pandemic graphic novel.