Northeast Property Restoration

Relax, Restore, and Resume Your Life

prepare before a disaster strikes

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.

prepare before a disaster strikes

2. Prepare an ER Kit

prepare before a disaster strikes

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. 

prepare before a disaster

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. 

  • 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. 

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.

  1. Earthquakes
  2. Flooding
  3. Sewage Backups
  4. Mold 
  5. 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.

 

Water Damage
For More Information on Water Damage:
Click Here

Service Area:

Broome County, Tioga County, Tompkins County, Cortland County, Susquehanna County, Lakawanna County, Chenango County and more!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 3 other subscribers