Emergency Preparation

Simply making basic preparations for an emergency can give families and individuals the edge they need to survive one. The lives of hundreds of thousands of people every year are interrupted by unexpected circumstances. The degree to which one is prepared has a direct impact on just how disruptive a disaster can be.

First and foremost: have a family meeting, or if you're single, discuss your emergency plan with your closest friends. In many disasters, telephone communications are temporarily suspended. You can't always ring someone to tell them where you are or where you're going.

Create a back-up communication system. Many people opt for a "message drop"; a pre-planned place where individuals can leave messages for one another so that individuals can be secure that their loved ones are safe. In many cases, though local telephone service is unavailable, long distance may still be operable. In this event, you may choose to select an out-of-town friend or family member to serve as a message drop. This way, it becomes very clear, very quickly where everybody is, and what the next steps should be.

In addition to having on hand an emergency preparedness kit complete with food, water, first-aid, lighting, shelter and sanitation options, also create a personal grab-and-go bag. This should include copies of vital documents like birth certificates and drivers' licenses, travel-size bottles of prescription medicines, and at least one hundred dollars in small denominations. Small, easily transportable amusements should also be included such as favorite novels, a deck of cards, and writing instruments.

Don't overlook the needs of your pets when planning for an emergency. Just like keeping a pair of sturdy shoes near the bed and having your gas tank filled at all times, make sure that cat and dog carriers are easily accessible in the event that time is precious. Keep spares of pet identification tags inside the carriers, as well as a special pet kit which covers their food and water (and medicinal) needs for three days.

At LifeSecure™, we provide the solutions. You provide the plan. Together, we help your family face the challenge.