Disaster Planning- Whats Your Plan?

June 1st is the start of Hurricane Season, but beware even if you are not in a Hurricane Zone.  Is your family prepared with supplies and necessities? Does everyone know how to stay in contact if separated? Do you have a backup plan if you lose power for a day or more? There are many things to consider as you plan ahead in case of an unexpected disaster. Since this task can be a bit daunting, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website has many tools to assist you in preparing.

To give you a head start, we have summarized steps you can take in preparation for a disaster taken from both FEMA and the American Red Cross.

  • Be familiar with what types of disasters could occur where you live. Research what you need to do when planning.
       
  • Find out what disaster plans are in place in your community, workplace, schools, etc. You will then know what to expect wherever you and your family members may be located.
       
  • What are the warning signals you might see or hear in your area if a disaster occurs?
       
  • Check with your insurance company and, if necessary, change or update your policy in order to have adequate coverage.
       
  • Create a plan with your family and make sure everyone understands how you will handle both.
       
  • Shelter-in-place
       
  • Evacuation
       
  • Pick two meeting places for your family in the event you are separated.
       
  • Designate someone out of state to be the main contact for your family and make sure everyone knows their information.
       
  • Be sure to include any household pets in your planning.
       
  • You should always keep emergency numbers posted. This is especially important for children as it is normal to become a bit flustered during an emergency.
       
  • Learn ahead of time how to turn off the main utilities in your home.
       
  • Keep a copy of all vital medical, insurance, and family records in a safe and easily accessible location.

    Lastly, another important step when planning for a disaster is to take a home inventory. In the event it's needed, you will have a record for your insurance company. You can find more information on a free Home Inventory product from the Insurance Information Institute at http://www.knowyourstuff.org.

    Planning ahead can help reduce the stress you may experience worrying about how a disaster will affect you and your loved ones. It's important to take time now to prepare.