A disaster can strike at any time. Major disasters that have happened around the U.S. and world over the past few years clearly demonstrate the importance of having an emergency plan in place. In New England, the winter months can pose a special problem because of storm dangers like
freezing temperatures, sleet, ice and snow accumulations. When a disaster strikes, your loved ones may not all be together, and you will want to have a plan that everyone can follow from wherever they might be.
What your plan should include
When you prepare you should include information in your family’s emergency
plan that accounts for all of your family members as well as your pets. In order to prepare well, your plan should include the following information:
- How each person will be able to get to a safe, pre-chosen place
- How everyone will be able to contact the others
- How your family will handle different types of emergencies, including fires, floods, being stranded and others
- How everyone in your family will be able to get back together in one place
Every person should carry this information on a wallet-sized card so that they can quickly refer to it in an emergency. In addition, you should also make certain that you have disaster kits and supplies for each family member.
Disaster Supplies to have on hand for your storm kit
According to the American Red Cross, you should have certain minimum supplies. You need to have at least one gallon of water per day for every member of your family, including your pets. You should take a three-day water supply with you if you are evacuated and keep a two-week supply of water on hand in your home. You should likewise take a three-day supply of food if you are evacuated and have two weeks worth of food on hand in your home.
Your emergency storm kit should include the following items:
- Flashlight
- Blankets
- First aid kit
- Batteries
- Multipurpose tool
- Seven days worth of medication
- Hygiene and sanitation items
Make certain that you carry emergency contact information for your family members, have photocopies of your important documents and have extra cash available to you.
If you will be driving
If you plan to drive during a storm or when there is a lot of snow and ice on the ground, it is important that you are prepared in case that you get stuck. You should make certain that you have extra medical blankets in the trunk of your vehicle along with a first aid kit, road flares, a small shovel and kitty litter. When you travel, always make certain that you have your cell phone with you along with a charger so that you can call for help.
What to do after the storm
Major storms can cause roofs to collapse, burst pipes and water damage. You should inspect your home or business and hire professionals who can act quickly to prevent further damage. The professionals at Insurcomm can take quick action to stop further damage and then work to restore and repair your home or your business. The most important thing is that you and your family stay safe. Thoroughly preparing in advance can help you to minimize the damage, limit downtime and potentially save your lives. If you need help, contact Insurcomm today. We are here to help you in the event of an emergency.