September 8, 2021
September is National Preparedness Month, raising awareness for the importance to know what to do in case of emergency. We are participating this year by creating a one-stop guide for everything you need to know about keeping your family safe.
There are four key things to do to have the best safety plan possible:
- Make a Plan for Disaster
- Build a Safety Kit
- Plan for Fall Weather
- Be Insured
Make a Plan for Disaster:
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has laid out four steps on how to make a plan for disaster to ensure the upmost amount of safety for you and your family.
Step 1: Gather Information for Your Plan
- First, figure out how you are going to receive your emergency alerts. You can find a list of these here.
- Then, finalize a shelter plan. Whether you are seeking short-term shelter from a storm or long-term shelter due to COVID-19, figure out places in your home and community that are the best to seek shelter.
- Finally, create a communication plan for you and your family. This includes sharing your shelter plan with everyone in your household. You can also set up specific text groups and codes according to your family’s needs.
Step 2: Consider Your Household’s Specific Needs
- When creating your disaster plan, keep in mind you may have to adjust things according to what the members of your family need. Things that may need to be taken into account are:
- Dietary needs,
- Vital Medication
- Cultural and Religious needs
- Disabilities or access and functional needs including devices and equipment
- Pets or Service Animals
Step 3: Make your Emergency Plan!
- You can do this yourself or use the FEMA template available here.
Step 3: Practice Your Plan with Your Family
- Distribute your plan to your family with paper copies or through a digital platform. Discuss with them frequently on what to do in case of emergencies.
Build a Safety Kit:
Safety kits are made and designed to keep your family and household sustained for long periods of time after a disaster.
Here is a list of the basic things that every kit needs. You can download a printable version to bring to the store with you here.
- Water (one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation)
- Food (at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food)
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
- Flashlight
- First aid kit
- Extra batteries
- Whistle (to signal for help)
- Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
- Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
- Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
- Manual can opener (for food)
- Local maps
- Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
Just like the safety plan, items for your kit will vary for each family’s individual needs. Consider this list as additional items you may need depending on your household:
- Masks (for everyone ages 2 and above), soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes to disinfect surfaces
- Prescription medications
- Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives
- Prescription eyeglasses and contact lens solution
- Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream
- Pet food and extra water for your pet
- Cash or traveler’s checks
- Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container
- Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
- Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes
- Fire extinguisher
- Matches in a waterproof container
- Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
- Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils
- Paper and pencil
- Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children
If you are looking for items to keep in a safety kit specifically to be left in your car. See our list of Essential Items to Keep in Your Car.
Prepare for Fall Weather:
There are several weather hazards that occur during the fall and winter months.
These include:
The National Weather Service has a guide on what to do when you see “watches” and “warnings” for these natural occurrences. Find it here.
Be Insured:
Although we can do our best to prepare our homes and loved ones for emergencies. Natural Disasters are a matter of when, not if. It is important to invest in insurance for your car and property. SafeAuto offers Renters Insurance, Car Insurance, and partners with Hippo for Homeowners Insurance for your household to stay as prepared as possible.
- A rental insurance policy protects your personal possessions within your living space. In the event that something accidentally causes harm to your personal items, or to you, a renters insurance policy is there to help. By having renters’ insurance, you can have peace of mind that your items are covered – no matter what.
- At SafeAuto, we understand that shopping for car insurance can be stressful and pricey. That’s why SafeAuto car insurance specializes in providing non-standard coverage for drivers with less-than-perfect driving records. We’ve got the state-minimum car insurance that matches your needs, no matter what.
- If a disaster should strike, we partner with Hippo to help you with reliable, caring and responsible personnel. If you’re looking to get cheap home insurance today, home insurance quotes from Hippo take less than 60 seconds and you can have your home protected with a policy in under 4 minutes.
If you would like to talk to a representative about these policies, call us today at 1-800-SAFEAUTO. We are available 24/7 and would love to help you protect you and your family.
