Northeast Property Restoration
September 13, 2019
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Prepare Before a Disaster Strikes

Prepare Before a Disaster Strikes | September is National Preparedness Month! This month is recognized to promote disaster and emergency planning. According to Ready.gov the theme for this year is “Prepared, Not Scared”. There are many steps you and your family can take to help protect against a possible disaster.

1. Have a Plan

Make a plan! If you do not have an emergency plan set up with your family, make one today!

Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if separated.
Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find.
Tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities.
Practice your plan with your family/household.

FEMA.gov has a free emergency plan forms that you can download and fill out.

2. Prepare an ER Kit

In case of an emergency or disaster you should be prepared by having essential items ready in a prepared kit or bag.

Water
Food
Multi-purpose Tool
Maps
Light Source
Portable Radio
Extra batteries
First Aid Kit w/ Medications
Personal Hygiene Items
Baby Supplies/Pet Supplies
Important Personal Documents
Extra Cash
Cell Phone and Chargers
Blankets and Sleeping Bags
Extra Clothing

These kits should be placed in your home, place of work, and your vehicle.

3. Accumulate a Savings

Start saving if you haven’t already! A savings of extra cash will be very useful if a disaster does hit your property. You can label it your emergency fund and only use it when necessary.

Each paycheck put aside $20 dollars and add it to your ER fund.

4. Document Home Inventory

Any disaster within your property could ruin important and valuable items. Some items may be irreplaceable but if the disaster is covered by your homeowners insurance you may be compensated.

Take Photos
Create a Typed or Handwritten Checklist
Take a Home Video

Proper storage and documentation of items within your home can help make a disastrous situation a lot less stressful.

5. Plan for Flooding

Sign up for your community’s alerts
Learn and practice evacuation routes
Purchase or renew a flood insurance policy
De-clutter drains and gutters. Install check valves. Consider a sump pump with a battery.

Visit FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center for information on the types of floods that pose a threat to your area.

6. Review Your Insurance Policy

Homeowners insurance coverage helps with repairs and replacement from damage such as a fire, theft, pipe leaks and more. However, incidents that could have been prevented, like untreated water damage that leads to mold growth, will not be covered.

Below are 5 home disasters that your insurance will not likely cover.

Earthquakes
Flooding
Sewage Backups
Mold
Nuclear Accidents

For more scenarios your homeowners insurance may not cover check out , 10 Things Home Insurance Won’t Cover.

Disasters and Location

Depending on where you live, certain disasters may be more prevalent. Do some research and plan accordingly. For more information on how to plan for certain disasters including hurricanes, tornadoes, and more check out Ready.gov.