We just dodged a hurricane, so let’s take a moment to think about being prepared just in case the next one comes our way. How about some ideas to get your preparation started?
Outside. Trim large trees and shrubs. Bring in outdoor furniture, potted plants, bikes, and toys.
Shutters. Protect windows, door, and skylights with shutters. Plywood can be used to cover windows as last-minute protection.
Power Up. Fill your car’s gas tank, charge your cell phone, test your generator, and have plenty of fuel ready in case of power outages.
Emergency Supplies. Get ahead of the rush by having the following items on hand.
If you need to evacuate, take these supplies with you.
Create a Home Inventory. Make sure you have purchased enough insurance to replace your personal possession by taking a Home Inventory. This document can also speed the claims process, substantiate losses for income tax purposes, and be helpful if you need to apply for disaster aid.
Review your current home insurance policies. The Insurance Information Institute has excellent information about making sure that your insurance has adequate coverage for your home’s structure, personal possessions, and additional living expenses. Click here for their article. Or you can simply call us.
Identify where you can go in the event of an evacuation. Try to have more than one option: the home of a friend or family member in another town, a hotel or a shelter. Keep the phone numbers and addresses of these locations handy.
Map out your primary routes and backup routes to your evacuation destinations in case roads are blocked or impassable. Try to have a physical map of the area available in case GPS satellite transmissions are down or your devices run out of power.
Put all evacuation plans in writing along with pertinent addresses and phone numbers and give them to each member of the family. Note that many home printer inks are NOT waterproof, so take appropriate precautions to ensure legibility.
Listen to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for evacuation instructions. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
Keep the following important documents in a safe place that you can easily access and take with you in the event of an evacuation. And while for most of these you'll need an original, it's a good idea to make digital copies and keep them with you on a thumb drive, as well:
When the next hurricane threatens our area, we hope that you will find this information useful. When you are reviewing your insurance coverage as suggested by the III, we hope that you will call us with your questions.
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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.
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Sources: CDC, Insurance Information Institute, Ready.gov.