Most of us never expect to evacuate our homes because of a disaster. However, watching the devastation that has occured across the Northeastern United States because of Hurricane Sandy, helps us all realize that we need to have a plan in mind in case we ever have to evacuate our homes because of a storm, earthquake or forest fire. Not only do we need to protect ourselves from the natural disaster, but also from people who may try to take advantage of our situation.A few years ago, my husband and I were living in an area which we feared might be evacuated because there were multiple forest fires in the area. We were particularly concerned that our neighborhood would be evacuated while we were at work and we would be unable to return to our neighborhood to retrieve anything from our home. As a result, we drove around with the trunks of our cars filled with supplies and valuables that we knew we would want. Listed below are some suggestions for preparing to evacuate.
Personal Evacuation Supplies
A suitcase with a few changes of clothing
A small supply of important medications
Bottled water
A bag of easy to eat food, such as dried fruit
Pet food
Blankets
Remember that you could be stuck for a night or two in your car, caught in a long traffic jam while millions of other people also try to evaculate, or stranded by a storm until help arrives. Having food, water, clothing, medication and bedding for every member of your family is important for your health and safety.
Documents to Evacuate
Insurance policies
Mortgage documents or lease information
Car titles
Passports
Credit Cards
Stock certificates or other valuable documents
You will also want to take any other identification or documentation you may need to prove who you are and that you are the owner or resident of the property, so you will be allowed to re-enter the neighborhood or discuss your situation with your insurance agent or representatives from FEMA.
Valuables to Evacuate
Sadly, looters and others who take advantage of people during disasters may victimize you as much as the natural disaster. While you cannot pop your big screen television into your car, you can make sure that you remove your favorite photo albums, jewelry, coin collections, valuable artwork and similar items. Not only will you protect these items from theft, but you will appreciate having these items with you if you need to start over again.
Phone Numbers
You will want to either make sure that these numbers are stored on your cell phone, or that you have them written down and kept in the glove boxes of your automobiles. In fact, you may want to do both. Then, if you become separated from your cell phone, you still will have the numbers that you need. Long before you ever have to prepare for a disaster, write out a list of these phone numbers and keep the list in your car at all times:
Your Insurance Agent
Your doctors, dentist and vet
Your pharmacy
Your utility companies
Out of state relatives
Cell phone numbers of neighbors
Your childrens' schools
Your bank
Contact information for your credit cards
State and local police departments
AAA or other roadside assistance
These numbers will help you contact relatives and let them know you are OK, contact neighbors to make sure they got out, deal with medical emergencies, and handle the business aspects of an evacuation.
You may also want to read:
Security Breaches Endanger Your Personal Information
Computer Virus Scams
Computer Fraud and Identity Theft During Your Vacation
You are reading from the blog: http://lies-and-liars.blogspot.com
Photo of hurricane damage courtesy of www.morguefile.com
No comments:
Post a Comment