Disaster Preparedness

Disaster Preparedness for your Home & Family

Every season comes with its own risks, and as a homeowner (or renter), you should prepare yourself or your family for the dangers that may present themselves. We just weathered through a brief but strong winter. Are you now prepared for spring storm and tornado season? As a licensed insurance agent, I may be a bit more highly attuned to the perils that hit our community members because I have seen behind the scenes when disaster strikes. Here are some tips to get the ball rolling and start a conversation with your loved ones when it comes to family safety and preparedness!

-Consider having a disaster preparedness kit on-hand for your family in case of emergency in the event that you have to leave. Pack it with essentials such as flashlights, batteries, bottled water, lighter/matches, toilet paper, pocketknife, hand sanitizer, toothbrushes/ toothpaste, energy bars, whistle, ducktape, glowsticks, small first aid kit, antibiotic ointment, etc. The Red Cross has a great quiz to see if your family’s kit is ready: www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-preparefor-emergencies/survival-kit-supplies.html -Make sure your family has an escape plan in case of emergency such as fire, earthquake or flood. Where will you meet? Where will you go? -Understand what disasters are likely to occur in our area… We just got hit with a large snow and ice storm. These occur a few times a year, so know that once we get the warnings for them that you need to prepare enough food, water, supplies and shelter to weather them, etc. Fast forward to spring… Let’s start talking storm season!

Spring weather concerns/tornado safety

According to the CDC: -”prepare a plan and an emergency kit -stay aware of weather conditions during thunderstorms -know the best places to shelter both indoors and outdoors -and always protect your head”

Their tips for sheltering go on to share, “Go to the basement or an inside room without windows on the lowest floor (bathroom, closet, center hallway). Avoid windows. For added protection get under something sturdy (a heavy table or workbench). Cover your body with a blanket, sleeping bag or mattress. Protect your head with anything available. Do not stay in a mobile home.”

Flood preparedness

We live in the River Valley, aka we can often get high water in areas. Flood watches and flood warnings are common as are water backing up into houses. The first advice I have is making sure that you have conferred with your home insurer to make sure that you are satisfied with your home insurance coverage. Backup of sewage and drain is an added peril that you will need to pay additional for to have added as an endorsement. Flood insurance is also an endorsement that you can add as well. It will be required by your lender if you are in a flood plain.

The next things to consider are: -Turning off your electrical power if you have standing water or fallen power lines. -Do you have a WORKING sump pump installed in your home? -Does your sump pump have backup power? -Do your drains, toilets and other sewer connections have backflow valves or plugs? If you are under a flood watch or warning: -Make sure to have your emergency supplies handy and tune into the local radio or news to stay updated -Make sure that you have an emergency water supply on hand -Make sure that you have brought in (or tied down) your out-door possessions (lawn furniture, trashcans, etc) so that they don’t get swept away.

It’s all about being prepared regardless of the time of year. Communication with your family is key. So start the talks now how you can best keep yourselves and your home safe in 2021 and beyond!

Sources: https://www.aarp.org/home-family/friendsfamily/info-2020/emergency-go-bag.html https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-toprepare-for-emergencies.html https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/features/ tornadosafety/index.html https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-toprepare-for-emergencies/types-ofemergencies/flood.html

By Nikki Davis