Essential Tips for Keeping Your Family Safe from Disasters!

Last year marked record numbers of natural disasters in the U.S.  The 2020 hurricane season blew through the official alphabetical listing of hurricane names.  Forecasters were left moving to the supplementary list of Greek letter names in order to keep naming the storms.  And the intensity of the storms are on the rise.  2020 was the 5th consecutive year to see a category 5 storm.

In addition to the massive destruction caused by hurricanes, wildfires took an enormous toll on the western states.  California watched over four million acres burn.  The August Complex fire alone burned more than one million acres, the largest in California’s history.  Colorado’s Cameron Peak Fire was the largest in Colorado’s history, burning more than 208,000 acres.

This year, lives have been lost, and homes and property destroyed by Henri and now hurricane Ida.   Not only have hurricanes been the culprit for devastation, but other disasters like the wild fires in California, extreme rains and flooding in Tennessee have all endangered our personal safety, our homes, property and businesses.

So with all these disasters happening around us, how can we keep ourselves and our families safe?  

Experts say the best thing you can do is prepare.  Don’t get caught off-guard.  Make a plan and establish where you will go, how you will get there and how you will contact your family members when a disaster strikes.   Then practice your plan with your family.   Decide who will do what tasks and don’t forget to include your pets in the planning.

Should you be unfortunate to be caught in a catastrophic situation, follow these guidelines:

• Listen to weather alerts and safety instructions;
• Learn your evacuation zone and have a plan;
• Learn skills you might need to help yourself or others until emergency responders arrive;
• Check on your neighbors;
• Have at least a 1 week supply of needed medications;
• Keep cash on hand or have an emergency account that can be accessed in a crisis;
• Make digital copies of important records and documents;
• Watch for frauds and scams when seeking disaster assistance.  Federal and state workers never ask for or accept money and always carry an ID.  And protect your identity by keeping your personal information secure.

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) puts out helpful information about being prepared for all types of disasters and provides tool kits for you and your family.  Visit www.ready.gov for more information.

In addition to having a plan, and the supplies and materials to keep you and your family safe, you should also consider the importance of being able to access important documents and information that may be critical following a disaster.   Having access to personal financial, insurance, medical, and other records is crucial for starting the process of recovery quickly and efficiently.

Experts suggest copying and storing this information in the cloud so it can be accessed quickly in the event of an emergency.  By doing this, you’ll have your insurance and other documentation needed to start the recovery process without delay.

We cannot change what the forces of nature will bring, but being prepared and planning ahead of time, may make the difference in keeping you and your family safe and may make the difference in how fast the rebuilding process will be.

My Life and Wishes is here to help you with your planning.  And for the month of September, we’re offering a 50% discount to our digital vault!  This is a secure place where you upload copies of all your important documents and information.  All safe, secure and accessible 24/7. 

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The best thing you can do this month is prepare!  Because you don’t know what natural (or man-made) disaster or emergency will strike next.