Natural disasters come in all shapes and sizes, but they all have these two things in common: They cause destruction and are incredibly unpredictable. That’s why it’s essential for every family to have an emergency plan in place for natural disasters. You may have short notice before a flood, tornado (yes, we do have the occasional tornado in Utah), or wildfire reaches your community, and being prepared can help you and your loved ones stay safe. Paul Davis Restoration of Utah explains how you can do it.
Start with a Conversation
Like any good plan, you want your emergency plan to begin with a conversation. Gather the whole family around to discuss what steps you will take in the event of a natural disaster. While it’s important to go over the details of what everyone will do, Salt Lake City Emergency Management also points out that you also want to keep the discussion age-appropriate so as not to scare the kids.
Here are some factors that should be considered in your emergency plan:
● Emergency numbers (fire department, police station, school, child care, work, etc.) should be posted in the home where everyone can see them.
● Meeting spots should be established in the event of an emergency — one near your home and one outside of your neighborhood. If you want to go the extra mile, establish a meeting spot outside of town.
● Everyone should be clear on prioritizing people, pets, then everything else in a situation where you have to leave the home immediately (e.g., fire, evacuation).
● Escape routes for each room of the home should be planned and rehearsed.
● Create a preparedness toolkit, and keep it in a safe place that can be easily accessed during an emergency.
● Put important documents in a waterproof and fireproof evacuation box, and make sure everyone knows where it is.
In order to keep each family member’s memory fresh on the emergency plan, schedule a time to go over it each year.
Prepare a toolkit.
The point of an emergency toolkit is to supply your family with essential items in the event that you must leave your home immediately. That way, you don’t have to worry about collecting them in a rush and you can focus on getting your family to safety. Be sure that your kit has an adequate first-aid kit, three days worth of nonperishable food, plenty of water, and a weather radio (make sure there are batteries). Here are some other items to include:
● Clothes and shoes for each family member
● Sleeping bags/blankets
● Flashlight
● Batteries
● Matches
● Can opener
● Essential tools (e.g., utility knife, wrench, pliers, screwdriver, etc.)
● Basic hygiene items
Lock Your Documents Up
Finally, there are several important documents that you should keep in an evacuation box. This includes passports, birth certificates, most recent tax return, all insurance account information, medical records, property titles, wills, and bank account numbers. For insurance purposes, it can also help to include photos of your home. There are other documents you may want to consider adding to the list, which Preparedness Mama covers in detail. If you want to be extra thorough, consider backing up all your files on an external hard drive.
Be Proactive
Depending on where you live, it pays to make proactive choices to help protect your property.
For example, if you live near the canyons in Davis County (Farmington, Kaysville, Fruit Heights) it might be wise to remove any large trees that pose a threat to your home. A large tree can easily destroy a house, which costs significantly more than the price to have a tree trimmed or removed. To ensure proper removal, use a site like Angi.com to connect with an established and reputable local tree removal company, and be prepared to pay anywhere from $50 to $1,500.
Establishing an emergency plan is essential for every family. Call a family meeting, and make sure every family member is clear on their roles in the event of a natural disaster. Create a preparedness toolkit that can quickly be grabbed as your family vacates the home, and keep your most important documents in an evacuation box that can be taken with you as well.
Remember to also take proactive measures to protect your property. No one expects a natural disaster to hit their community, and that’s why it’s so critical for you to start planning now. Don’t hold back in your preparations, and make sure the whole family is on board.
Photo Credit: Pexels
Don’t wait until it’s too late to prepare for the worst. Along with your other emergency contacts, list Paul Davis Restoration of Utah at (801) 299-1000 to help restore and rebuild after disaster strikes!
Written by: Megan Cooper