Emergencies can strike without warning, and being unprepared can lead to unnecessary stress and danger. For National Preparedness Month, focus on four steps to prepare for disasters: crafting an effective action plan, assembling a comprehensive disaster kit, organizing crucial documents, and starting an emergency savings account.
First, create an action plan. You don’t want to be caught unprepared. Ask yourself these five questions, and make sure your entire household knows the plan.
- How will we receive emergency alerts?
- Where will we shelter?
- Where will we evacuate to?
- What is our communication plan?
- Is our disaster kit up to date?
After a disaster, it may be days before you’re able to leave your home, or you may have to evacuate to a safer location. It’s important to be prepared for anything. When setting up your disaster kit, include enough non-perishable food and water to last your household for several days. Consider the specific needs of your household, and include medications, baby supplies, and pet food if needed. For a complete list of recommended items, visit https://www.ready.gov/kit.
Next, make a household inventory. Take photos or videos of your belongings and write down descriptions. Keep this inventory someplace safe and easy to access. Your inventory will help you prove the value of what you own, which could speed up claim processing, and will provide documentation for any tax deductions you can claim for your losses.
Gather important documents and information, like Social Security cards, insurance, ownership records, and family records. Store this information in a safe place. A waterproof and fireproof box, safe, or bank deposit box is great for paper copies. For digital copies, use secure personal cloud storage or a password-protected USB flash drive. Follow FEMA’s Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK) as a guide to securing vital information.
In Southwest Ohio, we need to be prepared for tornadoes, severe storms, flooding, and extreme temperatures, but natural disasters aren’t the only emergencies you might encounter. A financial emergency is any unplanned expense or loss of income. Six out of ten American households experience at least one financial emergency per year. And almost half of Americans would struggle to come up with $400 to cover an emergency. To prepare, start an emergency savings account. Even putting aside a few dollars each week will leave you in a better place during a crisis.
As you prepare for disasters, remember that these steps are about more than just having the right supplies—they’re about ensuring that you’re ready to respond effectively, no matter what happens. Check your emergency kit annually, review your action plan with your household, keep your important papers and inventory up to date, and fund your emergency savings. By being proactive today, you’ll be better equipped to handle whatever challenges come your way.