Before we get into the holiday season, it’s an excellent time to review and revise your emergency plans for yourself and your family. If you don’t have an emergency plan, there’s lots of good information on the BeReadyLexington.com and FEMA.gov websites. Start slowly and a little at a time. Before you know it, you’ll be ready for anything – from minor inconveniences to major emergencies and disasters.
For example, take some pictures with your new cell phone. Then, when you’ve run out of selfies, here are some other suggestions:
- Take a current photo of you and your pet together in case you get separated during a disaster.
- Snap photos of important documents and save them in a secure place or online.
- Snap pictures of your property for insurance purposes. Take a snapshot of each room in your home. If you have exceptional jewelry, computer equipment, or other unique items, take single pictures of these as well.
Here are the basics for your emergency planning:
- Your plan should include picking a safe place to meet near your home and in the general area. Learn evacuation routes, and establish an out-of-town contact. Here’s how to start the planning process.
- Please get to know your neighbor and invite them to be a part of your emergency plan.
- Build an emergency kit for your home. Have a second emergency kit in your car. Here’s a list of what to include.
- Set up group text lists so you can communicate with friends and family during emergencies.
- Take a class in CPR and first aid.
- Keep and update emergency supplies; remember to include cash.
- Have backup power sources available to charge devices in case of a power outage.
- Check your insurance for coverage of disasters like floods and earthquakes. If you live in a flood-prone area, get flood insurance.
- Sign up for alerts and warnings. Download the BeReadyLexington app to your cell phone or tablet to get real-time alerts, safety tips and locate open shelters.
- Save for a rainy day! Start and grow your emergency fund.
- Financially prepare for the New Year. Find out how with the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit.
- Spend within your means. Use a personal budgeting worksheet to help plan for holiday expenses and beyond.
- Build up your savings. Put a small amount in your account on the first of every month.
- Have external power sources available to charge phones and other devices in case of a power outage.
Preparedness Tips
- Include cash in your emergency supply kit. During an extended power outage, ATMs and credit card machines may not work.
- Check in with neighbors to see how you can help each other out before and after a storm.
- Preparing your family for an emergency is as simple as having a conversation over dinner. Make a plan tonight.
- Prepare your car for winter: keep your gas tank near full to help avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.
- Make a plan to check on neighbors if extreme cold or winter weather knocks out your power.
- Learn how to shut off the utilities where you live, including water, electricity, and gas.
Planning with Pets
- Take a current photo of you and your pet together in case you get separated during a disaster.
- 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 if you’re separated in an emergency.
- Remember to include your pets in your family’s emergency plans.
- Put together a pet emergency kit so that if you have to leave your home, you have an easy-to-grab pet supply kit.
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