September is National Preparedness Month

Do you have a plan for dealing with a disaster?  That’s a really broad statement and sounds like a headache waiting to happen.  Which disaster?  How can I plan for all of the potential disasters that could happen?  Enter September’s National Preparedness Month.  The Department of Homeland Security is providing great ideas and tools for planning for disaster. 

We’re encouraging you to take a look at some of the planning tips below, check out the Ready.com website, 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

• 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.

Through the use of 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

While you are putting your Plan together, you may also want to take a look at your insurance, review your coverage, and even consider making changes in that coverage.  We invite you to reach out to us for answers, great advice, and an excellent selection of insurance options. 

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.

The recommendation(s), advice and contents of this material are provided for informational purposes only and do not purport to address every possible legal obligation, hazard, code violation, loss potential or exception to good practice. Dean & Draper Insurance Agency specifically disclaims any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein will make any premises, property or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. Under no circumstances should this material or your acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein be construed as establishing the existence or availability of any insurance coverage with Dean & Draper Insurance Agency. By providing this information to you, Dean & Draper Insurance Agency does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you.  The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.