As we have seen these past few weeks, bad weather is out of our control.
While there’s nothing we can do to stop it from heading our way, we can make sure we’re prepared. Below is a checklist of simple steps to make sure you, your home and your family are as protected as you can be in the event of nasty weather.
BEFORE THE STORM
Prep for a power outage.
- Unplug your appliances to protect against power surges. (Consider installing a whole house surge protector.)
- Fill your car’s gas tank.
- Turn off any propane tanks.
- Crank the cold settings on your fridge and freezer to keep things colder, longer.
Make an Emergency Family Plan.
- Choose a place to reunite or evacuate in the event you become separated. Review this together on occasion to make sure everyone has it locked into memory.
Find a safe spot.
- Whether it’s your basement, a bathroom, or windowless room, it’s important to identify where the best place will be to hunker down.
Tune in to weather alerts.
- Listen to your local news and weather radio station or download the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) app on your phone.
Put your shoes on and keep your wallet or purse with you.
- Should you have to take cover and your home suffers damage, you will not have the time to search for these things.
Freshen up your stock of emergency supplies.
- Make sure you have operational flashlights, extra batteries, non-perishable foods, and 1 gallon of water for each family member for several days per FEMA’s recommendation.
AFTER THE STORM:
Connect with family and friends.
- Ease the concern of loved ones to let them know your safe with a text or phone call. You can also check into Facebook’s “I’m Safe” tool if you find yourself the survivor of a major crisis.
Don’t drink the water.
- Because local drinking water can become contaminated, make sure it’s safe before your drink or prepare food with it.
Lastly, install a standby generator.
- A standby generator will keep critical appliances running such as heaters and sump pumps. This investment could be the best you ever make to protect your family and your home. Get a free quote today.
