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Being prepared for an emergency
is the best way to protect you and
your family before disaster strikes.
Evaluate Document Storage
Make sure important financial, insurance
and legal documents are securely stored.
Keep them in a safe deposit box at your
financial institution or in another
secure location away from your residence.
You should also store a hard copy of important online documents.
This helps ensure the documents will be
available if a disaster destroys your home.
Inventory Possessions
Create a record of your possessions,
including purchase prices, dates purchased,
serial numbers and receipts. Use the
Inventory Possessions Work Sheet
as a guide. If you have to file a claim, this will
ensure you do not overlook anything lost
in a disaster. Consider photographing your items.
Another option is to scan the information
to a disk and store it appropriately.
Review Homeowners Insurance
You may need to supplement your
existing homeowners insurance policy
to ensure sufficient coverage if
a disaster damages or destroys your home
and possessions. The USAA Educational
Foundation publication, Homeowners Insurance,
offers more information.
Review Renters Insurance
Landlords usually carry insurance
only on the building itself. Your possessions
are your responsibility. Consider renters
insurance if you do not currently have a
policy. The USAA Educational Foundation
publication, Renting A Home, offers more
information.
Consider Flood Insurance
Homeowners insurance policies do not
cover flood damages. Depending on your
location, your lender may require flood
insurance, which is backed by the federal
government and provided in cooperation
with local communities and private insurance
companies. Because 25 percent of flood
loss occurs in low flood hazard areas,
ask your homeowners insurance provider
about purchasing flood insurance even if
your lender does not require it.
Take Safety Precautions
During a disaster, normal
household items can become
hazardous. Take steps to lessen
the damages and injuries they
can inflict.
- Inspect and maintain cooling
and heating systems, water
heaters, furnaces and fireplaces
on a regular basis.
- Modify or retrofit your home
to prevent damage or injury
from falling objects or moving
furniture.
- Elevate utilities such as water
heaters, electric panels and
furnaces to 2 to 3 feet above the
base flood elevation. Install
sewer backflow valves to keep
sewage from entering your
home.
- Consider replacing hail-damaged
roof coverings
with stronger, more resistant
coverings.
- Prepare a basement, interior
room or outdoor cellar where
you and your family can
evacuate if a disaster strikes.
- Learn how and when to turn
off electricity, water and natural gas
service to your home.
Remove Hazards
In a disaster, everyday home
items can cause injury and damage.
Anything that can move,
fall, break or cause a fire is a
potential hazard.
- Fasten shelves securely. Place
large, heavy objects on lower
shelves.
- Brace overhead light fixtures.
- Ensure paint, pesticides and
other flammable containers
are stored away from heat
sources.
- Secure or store outdoor items
such as flower pots, patio furniture
or portable basketball
goals. Ask or help neighbors
to do the same.
The USAA Educational Foundation publication,
Making Your Home A Safer Place,
offers more information.
Pack Emergency Kits
Gather items you and your family
need to remain safe and self-sufficient for a minimum of 3
days. Store these items in easy-to-carry
waterproof containers,
duffle bags or backpacks. Every
family member should know
where emergency supplies are
kept and how to use them.
Use the Emergency Kit Checklist to
help you assemble your supply kit.
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Selling A Home
Selling A Home
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