National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month, and now is a great time to assess your family’s emergency plan in the event of a hurricane or other natural disaster. Taking a few proactive steps now can help keep your family safe in the event of a major storm.

Develop an Evacuation Plan

Be sure your family is ready to evacuate if needed by knowing your evacuation routes, where you will go, and how you will get there. You do not need to travel hundreds of miles. Your destination could be a friend or relative who lives in an area that will experience lesser impacts of the storm. When making evacuation arrangements, remember to account for your pets!

Assemble an Emergency Kit

Build an emergency kit that includes first aid supplies, bottled water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, medications, extra cash, and other important supplies you may need. Make sure to keep your personal, financial, and medical records in a safe and accessible place in case you need them.

Make Sure You’re Insured

Before a storm hits, give your insurance company a call to make sure your policy will cover you and your home in case of extensive damage or loss. Remember, flood insurance is often sold separately from renters and homeowners’ insurance. Make sure you have the coverage you need! It may also be helpful to document your belongings in case you need to file a claim for damages. Document serial numbers, take photos, and gather any other information you may need to provide.

Prepare Your Home

Before the storm is the time to improve your home’s ability to withstand hurricane impacts. Installing storm shutters, checking seals and weather stripping, trimming trees, and ensuring you have supplies on hand to board up windows and doors can make a big difference in how your home weathers the storm.

Your family’s safety is important, and these small steps can make a big difference in being prepared.