Make copies of your family’s key documents during National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month, which means it is time to put together a family preparedness plan. remember to place copies of important documents in a waterproof, easy-to-carry container so you can "grab and go."

Before disaster strikes, be sure to gather the basic items you will need to help put your life back together should the unimaginable happen. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) suggested you should:

• Review property insurance policies, making sure that they are up to date and that the types of coverage meet your needs.
• Consider keeping some money in an emergency savings account that could be used in any crisis.
• Keep a small amount of cash or traveler’s checks with your emergency supplies.
• Cash machines won’t work when the electricity is out.
• Review life and health insurance policies and coverage limits.
• Keep copies of these and important phone numbers related to medical needs with your documents.
• Maintain an inventory of your belongings. If possible, include receipts for high-cost items, helpful for insurance claims.

Your "grab and go" document kit should contain copies of:

• Insurance policies
• Extra copies of prescriptions for medications and for eyeglasses
• Your inventory
• Important family documents you wish to save

More information is available at these websites:

• www.redcross.org/
• www.americaprepared.org/
• www.fema.gov/
• www.ready.gov/america/npm09/members.html
• www.ready.gov/ (Spanish: www.listo.gov/)
• www.citizencorps.gov/

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

NPM 2009: Get A Kit

When preparing for a possible emergency situation, it’s best to think first about the basics of survival: fresh water, food, clean air and warmth.

Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries (consider all battery-operated devices)
• First aid kit (check regularly to ensure nothing has met its expiration date — if so, replace those items)
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
• Local and regional maps
• Cell phone with chargers

Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:

• Prescription medications and glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
• Cash or traveler’s checks and change
• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from http://www.ready.gov
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper. When diluted, use nine-parts water to one-part bleach (nine ounces of bleach to one ounce of water, for example). Bleach can be used as a disinfectant. In an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color-safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
• Fire extinguisher (general purpose)
• Matches in a waterproof container with striker
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

Click here for more information, including a printer-friendly list of supplies. In addition to getting a kit, be sure to Make a Plan, Be Informed and Get Involved!

Additional Considerations for Businesses

Encourage all of your employees to have a Portable Kit customized to meet personal needs, such as essential medications. In addition:

• Keep copies of important records such as site maps, building plans, insurance policies, employee contact and identification information, bank account records, supplier and shipping contact lists, computer backup files, emergency or law enforcement contact information and other priority documents in a waterproof, fireproof portable container. Store a second set of records at an off-site location.
• Talk to your co-workers about what emergency supplies the company can feasibly provide, if any, and which ones individuals should consider keeping on hand.

Click here for more information about preparing your business for an emergency.

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