Have a Family Plan. Experts agree that there are several very simple steps to prepare yourself and your family for any kind of disaster. First of all, have a family plan. Know where you're going to meet. Know who is to call whom.
This link will give you more information about all the steps involved in creating a family emergency plan for a variety of risks. Think seriously about doing it. There are tools to assist you in assessing your emergency needs here. These are the type of things that only take value when you need them – and God willing you never do. Nevertheless, all the time invested in creating your family plan will be time well spent.
Backup your data. With more and more family information becoming digitized it's important to have a data backup plan, both on-site and off. These days with MP3 downloads and subscription music and digital cameras and digital video cameras, almost everything that is important to us now is digital. All the more reason to be absolutely sure that your data is safe. It's important obviously to have on-site backup; in case any of your machines should have any kind of hiccup you want ready access to your data so that important data isn’t lost.
But what happens in the case of a house fire or a flood? Your network drive holding backups of all your music and photos and most important documents – all could end up in the fire and just a big puddle of plastic. That's when off-site backup storage becomes critical. There are several vendors, who offer everything from low-cost limited to reasonably priced unlimited storage. Software for these vendors typically operate in the background over your internet connection, so they’re ideal for use with always-on broadband. When your computer isn’t busy, the utility will keep your online storage areas synchronized with the data in your computer. This kind of off-site storage is doubly valuable should you lose your machine or should there be a disaster at your home. Either way you're always protected.
I haven’t forgotten those who haven’t adopted the computer. And even if you scan all your documents for filing, some things must be retained in their original paper form. A strong fireproof safe is a given for all those important papers that you aren’t storing in your safe deposit box.
Safely store your precious items. I'm a collector. I have a lot of vintage fountain pens worth a fair amount. In addition to the money value of the pens, the time that it took to find them and collect them at the right price is significant as well. In fact of all of my possessions I would say my fountain pen collection is one of the most valuable. Of course it's not the only thing. I have a number of possessions that have enormous emotional value as well. If you're the same way, ask yourself what happens when the police or fire department comes to your door and tells you that there is a mandatory evacuation order in place. What do you grab first? What can you carry? If you are asking yourself those questions for the first time when you receive an evacuation order you've waited way too long.
Think about what's most important to you and make a list. Know which items you would bring in an emergency and know in descending order of importance starting with the most important first. If you're limited to just a few things, you know which few things are absolutely the most important. Additionally it makes good sense to store those things nearby each other if possible. That way you don't spend a lot of time gathering them all up in the instance of an emergency.
My pens are stored all in the same place, mostly binders and small portable cabinets. If necessary, I can get all of them and my little dog at the same time.
Make movies. Any insurance company will tell you that the best way to document your possessions is to take photographs and videos. These days the best way is to make a video walk-through of your home. Describe what you see, point the camera and make close-ups. Pay special attention to panels that show serial numbers, model numbers, and other significant information. The Insurance Information Institute (iii.org) offers free online home inventory software. The “Know Your Stuff” software is easy to use and allows you to record items by room, purchase price, date purchased, serial number information and allows you to upload photos.
Emergency supplies. We are constantly told that in the event of a serious emergency we should be prepared to be on our own for up to three days or more. Watching Haiti today, and New Orleans in the past, it should be clear to us that in the case of an unexpected emergency it will take time for authorities to reach us and bring assistance. In that time you need to be prepared to be on your own. You need to be prepared that your water supply will be compromised. You need to be prepared that looting will have emptied stores around you. That means if you're realistic about the situation, you need your own food and water to last you up to a week.
Various companies now offer nutritious, good tasting, packaged foods designed for campers, hikers, hunters, and those seeking long term storage in case of emergency. If you don’t want to take the time to plan your food storage, eFoods Direct offers food packages by how long you need to support yourself, from one week to a year.
A more traditional retailer, Emergency Essentials offers food, recipes, storage supplies, and equipment.
Prep your home. Where you live will determine the most likely natural disaster for which you should be prepared. I live in Los Angeles, and therefore we always expect the " big one," the big earthquake. Preparing our home for earthquake safety meant being sure the home is bolted to its foundation, that anti-sheer walls are applied in the basement so the home won't wobble itself to death. It also means that we know where our gas main is so that we can turn it off in the event of an emergency.
If you live in a flood plain, then water will be your nemesis. You need to be sure that you know where water is likely to gather, knowing the topography of the land around it. Use a sensible everyday storage plan. Don’t store your most precious items in the basement.
If anyone in your home is disabled or is physically or mentally challenged, your emergency needs will be even more specific and preparation more important. Here are tips for dealing with all kinds of disabilities and emergencies.
Be prepared for anything, and nothing can defeat you. In the end, you simply cannot predict what will happen in the future. If you are fortunate, all your preparations will be unnecessary. If you are less fortunate and disaster strikes, your preparation can assure that the only things lost are those most easily replaced.
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