Be Ready: Helpful Tips in the Event of an Emergency

January 23, 2024

Preparing your family for an emergency is as simple as having a conversation over dinner – make an emergency plan tonight.
Discuss and choose a safe place to meet and learn evacuation routes.
Set up group text lists so you can communicate with friends and family during emergencies. Or pick an out-of-town person for everyone to contact during an emergency.
Sign up for alerts and warnings. Download the FEMA app to get real-time alerts, safety tips, and locate open shelters.
Make a list of the things you would need or want to take with you if you had to leave your home quickly.
If you rely on public transportation, contact your local emergency management agency about evacuation procedures before severe weather.
Include cash in your emergency supply kit. During an extended power outage, ATMs and credit card machines may not work.
As part of your family’s emergency supply kit, include games and toys to keep children entertained.
Keep and update emergency supplies; remember to include back up necessary medical supplies/prescriptions in your kit.
Take a class in CPR and first aid.
Have back-up/external power sources available to charge devices in case of a power outage.
Check-in with neighbors to see how you can help each other out before and after a storm and/or invite them to be a part of your emergency plan.

Home Preparedness Tips

Snap photos of important documents and save them in a secure place or online.
Snap pictures of your property and make an inventory for insurance purposes.
Check your with your insurance carrier or personal broker for coverage on disasters like floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes.
30: The number of days it takes for flood insurance to begin. The time to buy is when it’s dry.
Prepare your car for the season: i.e., in winter, keep your gas tank near full to help avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.
Check on neighbors if extreme weather knocks out your power.
Learn how to shut off the utilities where you live, including water, electricity, and gas.
Save. Save. Save. Your emergency savings can help you get lifesaving items like food, shelter, and water in an emergency.

Planning with Pets

Remember to include your pets in your family’s emergency plans.
Take a current photo of you and your pet together in case you get separated during a disaster. www.ready.gov/pets
Search online today for local pet-friendly evacuation locations in case you need to evacuate.
Update your pet’s microchip registration info so you can be contacted if your pet gets lost in a disaster. Put your name and contact information on your pet’s ID tag in case you’re separated in an emergency.

Being prepared includes having your insurance carrier information and/or your personal broker available to contact in the event of an emergency (readily available to all the members of your emergency team). Please visit the following links for a list of carriers we work with, to find your existing personal lines agent or to meet your future agent. As always contact us at Robertson Ryan Insurance, we’re here to help!