While Hurricane Florence is still raining on the Carolinas, we’re thinking that now would be a good time to recognize that September is National Preparedness Month.
We have pulled out our post from September 2016, updated the information and will be sending you tips on getting your family prepared for emergencies today and next Sunday.
Review Insurance Coverage
The first step FEMA suggests is to review your insurance coverage.
• Insurance is the first line of defense. Check insurance coverage and review, Be Smart. Take Part. Document and Insure Your Property.
• Flood Insurance allows communities and families to recover more quickly and more fully. Visit Floodsmart.gov to learn more about flood insurance and how to protect their home or business.
Making a Plan
Check out the Ready.com website from the Department of Homeland Security, and then get your family together to make your plan.
Questions to Consider for Your Plan
Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to think about the following situations and plan just in case.
How will my family/household:
• Get emergency alerts and warnings?
• Get to safe locations for relevant emergencies?
• Get in touch if cell phone, internet, or landline doesn’t work?
• Let loved ones know they are safe?
• Get to a meeting place after the emergency?
Emergency Communications Plan
Here are a few easy steps to start your emergency communication plan:
1. Understand how to receive emergency alerts and warnings. Make sure all household members are able to get alerts about an emergency from local officials. ready.gov/alerts.
2. Discuss family/household plans for disasters that may affect your area and plan where to go. Plan together in advance so that everyone in the household understands where to go during a different type of disaster like a hurricane, tornado, or wildfire.
3. Collect information. Create a paper copy of the contact information for your family that includes:
• phone (work, cell, office)
• email
• social media
• medical facilities, doctors, service providers
• school
4. Identify information and pick an emergency meeting place.
• Decide on safe, familiar places where your family can go for protection or to reunite.
• Make sure these locations are accessible for household members with disabilities or access and functional needs.
• If you have pets or service animals, think about animal-friendly locations.
5. Share information. Make sure everyone carries a copy in his or her backpack, purse, or wallet. You should also post a copy in a central location in your home, such as your refrigerator or family bulletin board.
6. Practice your plan. Have regular household meetings to review your emergency plans, communication plans and meeting place after a disaster, and then practice, just like you would a fire drill.
Using everyday technology, individuals, families, responders and organizations can successfully prepare for, adapt to and recover from disruptions brought on by emergencies and/or disasters. With effective planning, it is possible to take advantage of technology before, during and after a crisis to communicate with loved ones and manage your financial affairs.
Next Week
We continue our National Preparedness Plan information with tips for getting the best use out of your cell phones and which documents to take with you.
Dean and Draper
During your insurance review, please give us a call if you have questions. We’re here to help you plan, give you straight answers, and a selection of insurance options. We invite you to reach out to us.
Dean& Draper is a Trusted Choice insurance agency representing over 200 insurance companies. For over 35 years we have offered a trusted freedom of choice to our clients. ContactUs.
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