Your Yearly Disaster Preparation Check-Up
Prepare and Check Emergency Kits
Each person should have his or her own emergency kit. This is a kit that contains basic emergency supplies and food that a person can carry, in case there is a need to evacuate and move to a safer place. The kit should include non-perishable food, potable water, first aid kits, a communication device, batteries, and some basic tools. If you already have an emergency kit, it is also important to regularly check the expiration dates of the items, just to ensure that they are not expired when needed.
Prepare and Update Your Emergency Plan
In the event of an emergency or a disaster, you need to have a plan. This means every person in the household should know what to do, what to bring, and where to go. Always plot out multiple escape routes and a meeting place in case you get separated. You also need to consider the fact that different members of the family may have trouble getting around on their own, such as the elderly and little kids. So make sure to assign them to more capable family members.
Learn How to Turn Off Utilities
You need to teach family members where the utilities are and how to shut them off. In the event of an emergency, you may need to turn off the gas mains and the electricity in order to avoid fires or explosions. There are also times when the water main needs to be turned off in order to avoid flooding the home.
Observe Home Safety All Year Round
Home safety should be practiced all throughout the year and not just during emergencies. Install alarms, smoke detectors, and locks at your home. Regularly check wires and the gas mains for any leaks or damage, and replace smoke alarm batteries every six months. You also need to ensure that flammable objects and chemicals are kept in safe places far away from potential sources of sparks.
Get Insurance
Choosing your insurance policy should be the first step in getting ready for a natural disaster. Click this link for information on determining if you have enough insurance http://www.mercuryinsurance.com/tips/home-insurance-information.html. We recommend that you review your insurance at each renewal to make sure that you have the proper coverages.
Catalog Your Property
Lastly, it is important to know that recovering from a disaster can be a chaotic endeavor. You can make the process so much easier by cataloging your property and updating it regularly. Not only will this help you put things back to the way they were, the photos and lists of your property will also make the claim process easier for both you and your insurance adjuster. Mashable, a technology blog, makes the process easier by providing a list of eight inventory apps http://mashable.com/2013/03/24/home-inventory-apps/#.
Preparing for disaster is an important investment in protecting your property and ensuring your family’s safety and peace of mind.
