Ever since September 11th, 2001,
terrorism-related fears have intensified. Many people now
realize that man-made disasters and natural disasters can
happen at any time, anywhere, forcing you to evacuate your
neighborhood or confining you to your home. What would you do
if basic services--water, gas, electricity or telephones--were
cut off? In South Florida, we know all too well what a
disaster can do ever since the infamous storm Hurricane
Andrew. Below is a list we created to help prepare you
and your family for possible disruptions.
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Insurance Documents. Make sure you
place all insurance documents in a safe place. Also, check
your policy prior to the hurricane season. Most people wait
until it is too late to worry about their insurance
coverage. The infamous "BOX" around Florida
delineates a zone surrounding our state. Once a named storm
enters this zone, NO property coverage can be
modified or added, and you must sweat it out until the storm
passes.
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Other Family Documents and Personal
Financial Records. Be sure your spouse or another family
member knows where you store your bank statements, account
numbers with company name and addresses, wills, family
records (birth and marriage certificates), social security
cards, etc. Keep these items together in a safe location.
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Disaster Supplies. Stock disaster
supplies to last several days to a week for yourself and
those who live with you. This includes having nonperishable
foods, stored water, and ample supplies of prescription and
nonprescription medications that you regularly use.
Expensive survival kits are unnecessary. You can make one
for about $50.
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Extra Cash. Have traveler's checks
on hand in case electronic transactions involving ATM cards,
credit cards, and the like cannot be processed. Keep
traveler's checks in a safe place.
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Energy and Conservation. Keep your
automobile gas tank above half full. In case the power
fails, plan to use alternative cooking devices, such as a
charcoal grill. Have extra blankets, coats, hats, and gloves
to keep warm. Camp stoves and heaters should only be used
outdoors in a well-ventilated area. Have plenty of
flashlights and extra batteries on hand. Do not use candles
for emergency lighting.
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Cell Phones. Make sure your cell
phone is charged up. Chances are, your local phone service
(your cell service may be too) will be down.
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Generators. If you are using a
portable generator, connect what you want to power directly
to the generator; do not connect
the generator to your home's electrical system.
Be sure to keep it in a well-ventilated area - either
outside or in a garage, keeping the door open.
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Local Preparations. Check with the
emergency service providers in your community to see if
there is information available about how they are preparing
for potential disasters.
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