Before catastrophe strikes, here are some tips to help you get prepared for the worst. We hope you’ll never need to use this information, but should disaster threaten your home and family it pays to be prepared. To make it easy for you to get started we’ve broken down our disaster preparation information into five categories. Why not start thinking about your disaster preparedness plans today?
Keep your home in good repair
Make sure your address number is clearly marked on your home.
Check and secure all of your manufactured home’s tie-downs.
Secure any loose roofing and siding.
Trim dead or broken branches from trees.
Purchase these materials to secure your home:
- Plywood
- Shutters and/or protective window film
- Plastic sheeting
- Nails
Become familiar with your insurance
Do you have insurance for your home? You’ll need coverage for the kinds of damage that you may suffer.
Most policies do not include flood, so call your representative for more information.
Is your personal property included? If so, make sure you take an inventory because you’ll need proof of ownership if you have to file a claim. Use videotape or a camera to take an inventory of both the inside and outside of your home. Store the information with your insurance policy in a safety deposit box, and send a copy to a relative out of the area. Update your inventory regularly.
When a disaster threatens, most insurance companies will not issue any new policies. The time to buy insurance is before a disaster strikes...not when a severe weather update is broadcast over the radio.
Build a survival kit now
Food. Store at least a two-week supply of non-perishable foods and special dietary foods, if necessary.
Drinking water. Have at least one gallon per person per day for two weeks.
Flashlights for each person in your family.
Portable radio and batteries.
First aid book and kit.
Two coolers. One for food, the other to hold ice. Ice is a precious commodity before and after a storm.
Plastic tarp for roof or window repair, screening, garbage bags and tools.
Water purification tablets, plain chlorine and iodine.
Infant necessities, such as diapers, formula and plastic bags.
Sleeping gear. Include pillows, blankets, sleeping bags, air mattresses or cots.
Extra clothing, shoes and a spare pair of eyeglasses.
Last minute survival kit items
Cash. With no power, banks may be temporarily closed, checks and credit cards may not be accepted, and ATMs may not be in operation.
Prescription medicines. Have at least a four-week supply.
Batteries for flashlights and portable radio.
Important papers: driver’s licenses, special medical information, insurance policies, personal belongings inventories, titles and social security cards.
Camera with film or video recorder.
Make plans for evacuation
Decide ahead of time where you’ll go when you evacuate. If you don’t go to an official shelter, map out your evacuation route. Evacuation route signs may be posted.
If you have children in school, find out where they will be sent when an evacuation is announced.
Ask a friend or relative outside your area to be your family’s contact person. Should the situation be grave enough where your family can’t evacuate together, have everyone call the contact person to say they are safe.
Disaster Preparation