Disaster Preparedness

How to Prepare for a Weather Disaster

The first four months of this year have provided all sorts of weather challenges all over the country. We started the year off with record breaking snow storms, in April, there were major tornadoes (over 300 in one day), and now flooding. What is going on with this weather?

Are you prepared for whatever weather disaster comes next? Read and find out!

There is more to worry about than the actual storm. You could experience long term affects like power outages, flooding, wind damage, and more. Don’t assume that you won’t experience a weather disaster just because it has never happened in your area before.

These tips will prepare you for any kind of disaster, so read on.

Do you have proper insurance coverage? When was the last time you discussed your policies or updated them with your insurance company or agent? It could be well worth your time to do this in the next couple of weeks. While you’re there, you should also ask about umbrella coverage if you don’t have it already. As the name implies, this is a general purpose policy which provides additional protection above and beyond your existing policies. It is a relatively low cost insurance that can make a huge difference if you have to file a claim.

Do you have a well thought-out evacuation plan? You can’t use a general plan created by someone else. Personalize yours to fit your needs. Here are some things to consider:

Exit Strategy: Make sure everyone knows the quickest way to get out of the house in case of fire or other natural disaster. Seconds really do count!
Meeting Place: Have an agreed-upon meeting place. The quicker you can do a headcount, the quicker you can move to locate anyone who didn’t make it out. Have 2 meeting place locations. One right outside your home (sidewalk or driveway) and the other off your property (friend’s house, library, or school).
Contact Person: Specify one person to be the call receiver. If your family gets separated, and cannot get to one of those locations, the separated parties should text or call the main contact. This will save confusion and missed calls. Make sure everyone knows the contact person’s phone number or has it stored in their cell phones!

Do You Know How to Prepare for a Storm? Here are a few other general tips for you to think about. If a storm is forecast, make sure you:

Have a full tank of gas. Gas stations can’t pump gas if the power is out.
Secure your outdoor items so that they will not become airborne and injure you or someone else.
Stock your disaster supply kit. In a serious storm, this could be well worth the effort. Include drinking water (at least one gallon of drinking water per person per day), food (canned, dry and other non-perishables which don’t require cooking, water, or special preparation – don’t forget a manual can opener), prescriptions and medications (three day supply recommended), first aid kit, flashlights, battery-powered lanterns, and AM/FM radio plus extra batteries.
Prepare a pet supplies bag. Don’t forget your pets! They’ll need food, water, medications, and leashes.

This way you will be ready for whatever weather comes next. Is there something else that you do that I didn’t include? Tell me in the comments section.

Home Disaster – It Could Happen to You

I have no idea what is going on with the weather around here. First, we start the year with a record number of snow storms and now the rain. What are we supposed to do? We need to be prepared for whatever weather comes our way.

How can you prepare?

Start by talking with your insurance company and/or agent and discuss what your insurance covers and what it doesn’t. You should be doing this every couple of years. If you can’t remember the last time you did this, then it’s time. You may find that you need to add or increase certain coverage. You should also discuss flood insurance. It doesn’t cover everything and usually has a high deductible, but you might regret not having it.

Next, do you have emergency supplies in your home? If you lose power, do you have lanterns (better than candles and not a fire hazard), battery operated items (radio, can opener ) barbeque grill for cooking, full tank of gas for your car (gas stations can’t pump gas without power), emergency cash on hand, etc. Do you know where these items are? I keep mine all together in one basket.

If you had to evacuate your home in a short period of time, do you know what you would need to take with you? You should have your important papers and records in one easy-to-grab place so you can get out fast.

Being prepared ahead of time makes it easier to ride out a storm in comfort or evacuate your home quickly.

Hurricane Preparedness Week 2010

Hurricane Preparedness Week will be held from Sunday, May 23 to Saturday, May 29.

We all know we should have flashlights with new batteries, manual can opener, candles etc but do you follow the advice?

We had a bad storm this winter, a nor’easter, which can produce hurricane force winds Yes, I had all those on hand But I didn’t check them ahead of time My second flashlight didn’t work I didn’t have a cell phone charger for the car So off I went on Sunday morning to the store along with everyone else driving around, being detoured around fallen trees and power lines to find that one open store that still had what I needed.

This is my new updated storm list of what to have on hand

Working flashlight with extra batteries
Candles
Battery powered or rechargeable lantern (make sure you keep it charged)
Battery powered radio
Manual can opener
Hard wired phone you need one if you have a landline
Car chargers for your electronics cell phone, PDA etc.
Extra blankets and sweaters if you are staying in your home without heat
Wood and matches for your fireplace
Barbeque grill to cook on, or, know what restaurants are open we had a meal at the hospital restaurant since we knew they would be open when others restaurants weren’t or had a really long line to get in.
Cash, since ATM and stores need power to use a credit or debit card
Full tank of gas (not be on empty since gas stations need power to work)
Appropriate tools and equipment to repair damages and debris

Also, you need to know where you have kept each of these items so that you can find them when you need them.

Before this happens to you, please check your insurance policy to make sure you have the right coverage for the proper amount Yes, this for homeowners as well as renters Renters insurance is a small amount to pay compared to losing your personal property that the landlord’s policy doesn’t cover Contact your insurance company today and be ready for the next storm.

For more information on storm preparedness, visit www.hurricanes.gov/prepare

How safe is a safe deposit box?

I have often told you to use a safe deposit box (SDB) to store copies of your most important paperwork. That way, if something happens to your home, you can deal with the emergency with all your paperwork intact. But people also use SDB’s for items that they consider irreplaceable, like jewelry or stock certificates. While it’s not necessarily wrong to use an SDB this way, you should be aware of the risks.

Safe deposit boxes are loss resistant, not loss proof. You can lose the contents of your SDB if something happens to the bank itself. Consider what could happen if your bank is in a fire or flood. SDB’s are typically made of metal. They are not water-proof or heat-proof, which means the contents could melt, be scorched, or water damaged. Store paper documents in a water-tight plastic bag. Keep back-up copies of flash drives or photographs. Metal items, like jewelry or antique coins, should be stored in a hard-plastic container to help prevent melting.

You should also know that you will NOT be reimbursed by FDIC for the value of jewelry or antique coins stored in an SDB. The FDIC only reimburses the cash in your bank account, not personal property.

You will also NOT be reimbursed by your renter’s or homeowner’s policy (unless you have the items insured separately.)

Finally, know that your SDB is a rental. Keep up on payments or the contents will be turned over to your state’s Unclaimed Property department. A safe deposit box is a great resource, if used wisely.

Your Savings Account is Your Emergency Fund

Your savings account is your emergency fund. How much should you have? I’m not asking about your retirement or investment fund – I’m asking about your standard savings account. You probably don’t want to hear my answer, but I believe we all should have a year’s worth of income in savings.

That amount could tide you over if you lost your job, were laid off, or had to take a medical leave of absence. In the past I might have recommended 6 months, but you may have a harder time finding a replacement job in these economic times.

So how do you save 12 months worth of income? For most people it means cutting back. Try going over your bank statements to see where the money is leaking away. Are you spending $20 a day on fast food? $100 a month on cable services? $50 on parking? I’m sure you can think of other expenses that you could temporarily go without.

On the other hand, if you’ve cut your spending to the bone and still can’t save money, then look for extra income. Try getting a part time job, or selling unwanted items for cash. If you make the extra sacrifice now, you could have a sizeable savings account in a few years – one that could save you in an emergency.

You CAN Fight Mother Nature

September is here, do you know what that means? No, I’m not talking about back-to-school shopping. No, I’m not talking about taking the last vacation of the summer. I’m talking about hurricanes! According to the AOML, August, September and October are the peak months for hurricane activity on the Atlantic.

The AOML has predicted that 2008 will be an above average year. But even if you choose to ignore predictions, remember that a single hurricane is all it takes to endanger your family or rob you of your investments.

Are you prepared? Think you don’t have to worry about hurricanes? Read and find out!

Who is affected by hurricanes?

You don’t have to live in Florida or New Orleans to be affected by hurricanes. Did you know that in 1938 there was a hurricane that struck in the Northeast that left 600 dead? And, we don’t have to have a direct hit by a hurricane to suffer tremendous damage. The storm systems caused by hurricanes often cause power outages, flooding and wind damage for inland states. Don’t assume you won’t be affected. These tips will prepare you for other disasters as well, so read on.

Do you have proper insurance coverage? When was the last time you discussed your policies or updated them with your insurance company/agent? It could be well worth your time to do this in the next couple of weeks. While you’re there, you should also ask about umbrella coverage if you don’t have it already. As the name implies, this is a general purpose policy which provides additional protection above and beyond your existing policies. It is a relatively low cost insurance that can make a huge difference, if you have to file a claim.

Do you have a well thought-out evacuation plan? You can’t use a general plan created by someone else. Personalize yours to fit your needs. Here are some things to consider :

Exit Strategy: Make sure everyone knows the quickest way to get out of the house in case of fire or other natural disaster. Seconds really do count!
Meeting Place: Have an agreed-upon meeting place. The quicker you can do a headcount, the quicker you can move to locate anyone who didn’t make it out. Have 2 meeting place locations – one right outside your home (sidewalk or driveway) and the other off your property (friend’s house, library, or school)
Contact Person: Specify one person to be the “caller”. If your family gets separated, and cannot get to one of those locations, have one person be the one communicator between the groups to save confusion and missed calls. Make sure everyone knows the contact person’s phone number!

Do You Know How to Prepare for a Storm? Here are a few other general tips for you to think about. If a storm is forecast, make sure you:

Have a full tank of gas — gas stations can’t pump gas if the power is out.
Secure your outdoor items so that they will not become airborne and injure you or someone else.
Stock your disaster supply kit. In a serious storm, this could be well worth the effort. Include drinking water (at least one gallon of drinking water per person per day), food (canned, dry and other non-perishables which don’t require cooking, water or special preparation – and don’t forget a manual can opener), prescriptions and medications (three day supply recommended), first aid kit, flashlights, battery-powered lanterns, and AM/FM radio plus extra batteries.
Prepare a pet supplies bag. Don’t forget your pets! – they’ll need food, water, medications, and leashes.

I certainly hope that the peak hurricane season will just “blow by us” without incident, but it never hurts to be prepared for whatever may be ahead.