Are You Ready for Emergencies?
By Kristi Vaughan
Whether it is hurricane season, snow season or mudslide season, it can pay to be prepared for a sudden emergency.
Keep these on hand
The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends that you keep emergency supply kits at home, in your car and at work. These kits should include enough food, water and other necessities to last at least three days. All items should be stored in a duffel bag, airtight trash bag or other container that is easy to carry. Water, batteries and the like should be refreshed as needed. And don't forget to tell other family members and co-workers where the kits are located.
Basic supplies will vary by individual but generally include:
- Flashlight and batteries
- Bottled water
- Canned/packaged foods
- Can opener, all-purpose knife, paper plates, utensils etc.
- Medications
- First aid kit
- Matches
- Clothes (one complete change)
- Bedding
Protect your property
It is relatively easy to take steps to protect your property when you are forewarned of a potential disaster, for example, in the case of a hurricane. But you can prepare for sudden disasters, also. The Insurance Information Institute recommends the following preparations, among others:
- Hurricane - Board up windows Secure outdoor objects
- Earthquake - Bolt water heaters and gas appliances to floor or wall "Tie" the house to the foundation
- Tornado - Move cars inside garage if tornado watch issued If there is time, move lawn furniture and other loose objects inside
- Fire - Construct roofs of fire-resistant material Keep a fire extinguisher in your home
- Flood - Get special flood insurance Install a system to prevent flood water from backing up in sewer drains
In all cases, check with your insurance carrier to ensure that you are covered against disasters that might strike your area. And, to ease the claim process after a disaster, take a home inventory and store it offsite.
Money
Disasters can sometimes result in days of disruption to the social and economic infrastructure around you. In addition to having the proper insurance coverage, you can reduce the economic impact of a disaster by:
- Developing an emergency savings fund to cover unexpected expenses or the lag time between a disaster and an insurance pay off
- Having emergency cash or travelers checks on hand, especially if a power outage means electronic cash registers, ATMs and the like aren't working.
Disaster plans
To best ensure that you and your family weathers whatever disaster comes your way, it is good to have a disaster plan in place. FEMA recommends that you talk with family members about how to respond in a disaster and where to meet if you are separated. You also should plan escape routes from your house, post emergency telephone numbers and teach everyone how to turn off the water, gas, and electricity.
Special needs
Another consideration are the special needs you, your family or neighbors might have. How, for example, will someone in a wheelchair evacuate? What about medications that need to be refrigerated? Does anyone use equipment that depends on electricity?
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