Disaster Planning Tips

Non of us think it?ll happen to us, a disaster that is. However, California is one of the top 10 states most at risk for a natural disaster. California has seen disasters such as wildfires, landslides, flooding, winter storms, severe freezes, tsunami waves and, let’s not forget, earthquakes. With the risk of natural disasters, we can also have disasters in the home such as a fire, sewage backflows, burst pipes, etc. A disaster is always unexpected and usually happens abruptly. Therefore, it’s crucial that we prepare for one ahead of time. Here are some disaster planning tips.

Gather Important Documents

To be prepared, you should keep all your important documents? in a safe place outside of the home or office,? either digitally, relative’s home, or in a safety deposit box.

• Home Inventory: A list and photos
• Insurance Policies: House, Life, Car, Property, Boat, etc.
• Wills
• Property Deeds
• Titles to Vehicles
• Tax Returns: The first 2 pages of state and federal returns from the past 3 years
• Contracts: Business you are doing or have done
• Stocks and Bonds
• Bank Account Numbers
• Credit Card Numbers and company phone numbers
• Driver’s Licenses
• Social Security card
• Health Insurance Cards
• Immunization records
• Birth Certificates
• Marriage Certificates
• Passports

Keep an Emergency Kit

An emergency kit is a collection of basic items that you?d need in an emergency. Most likely, once an emergency situation occurs, you won’t have time to shop or collect these items. The rule of thumb is to have supplies in your kit that will last you three days.

• Water: A gallon of water per person, per day
• Non-perishable Food
• Manual Can Opener
• Flashlight
• Flashlight Batteries
• First Aid Kit
• Whistle: To signal for help
• Local Maps
• Cell Phone Charger: Inverter or Solar Charger
• Wrench or Pliers: To turn off utilities
• Battery-Powered Radio
• NOAA Weather Radio with Tone Alert
• Batteries for Radios
• Dust Mask: Helps filter contaminated air
• Plastic Sheeting
• Duct Tape
• Moist Towelettes
• Garbage Bags & Plastic Ties

?Your Top 10 Items

Make a list of the few items that you would take with you, if you had the time to get them. Your family should work together to come up with a list of?irreplaceable things that are meaningful, small, and light.

• Jewelry
• Heirlooms
• Mementos
• Photos
• Favorite toy

A Disaster Plan

It’s important to talk with family members about how to respond to emergencies.

• Identify responsibilities for each member
• Have a home evacuation plan
• Have a neighborhood evacuation plan
• Practice your home evacuation plan and neighborhood evacuation plan twice a year
• Choose an out-of-area emergency contact person
• Choose a place to meet if the family is’separated
• Plan ahead for your pets