Storm Damage Preparedness

2/20/2019 (Permalink)

Our team of experts will be there soon, but your health and safety are our main priorities. While you wait for help to arrive, follow these tips to keep you protected while facilitating a more rapid recovery:

Communications

• Discuss preparedness with your family
• Identify an out-of-state contact in case you are separated. Long-distance calls may work when local calls do not
• Teach children how and when to call 911 post emergency contact numbers near phones in your home
• Teach children how to use a cell phone

Evacuation

• Determine two escape routes from each room in your home
• Pick three places to meet - One right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, pick a location in your neighborhood if your property isn't safe and a regional meeting place if you can't return home

MAKE A PLAN

Water

• Water will keep you alive. If you have enough water, you can live on half of your normal food intake. Make sure to store at least one gallon of water per person per day and store enough water to last two weeks. 
• People in hot environments, children, people who are ill and nursing mothers should store more.
• Rotate your water supply every six months
• Other sources of water in your home: water heater, ice cubes, pipes and toilet tank (not the bowl)

Food

Unlike water, food can be rationed. Store at least a three to five day supply of non-perishable food in a dry place where the temperature is not above 70 degrees. 

Select foods that require little or no preparation, water or refrigeration. Select foods that are high in calories, nutritious, compact and lightweight. Choose foods your family will eat.

Pets

Pets are an important member of your family. Plan for them as well. Remember that emergency shelters typically do not allow animals. Only service animals are allowed in shelters.

But you should know safe places to keep your pets if you have to evacuate with them. Where are hotels and motels outside of your area that accept pets? What friends or family members could keep them for you? Which boarding facilities, veterinarians or shelters could be used?

Utilities

Your water heater can be a critical source of water in an emergency, but only if it’s still standing. Go to your home improvement store of choice and buy the metal straps to secure the water heater to nearby studs.

A falling water heater can break gas lines and water lines or spill your water.

Gas

If you have natural gas coming into your home, it’s easy to turn off, but not so much for turning it back on. Only qualified people should turn gas back on.

When you should shut off your gas meter:

• You smell natural gas
• You hear gas leaking
• There is a fire (unless shutting off the gas would jeopardize your safety)
• If you need to shut off the gas, use a wrench to turn the valve a quarter turn in either direction
• Take some time to become familiar with which utilities enter your home and where they can be shut off. As you practice emergency plans, locate and map the gas, water and electricity mains. During family drills, go through the movements, but do not practice shutting off gas lines.

If you are facing the aftermath of a storm or natural disaster, call us at (208) 375-0300!