Submitted by Danielle Barrick on Fri, 07/15/2011 - 08:36
Earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods -- these natural disasters are striking countries all over the world. Since the majority of people do not know until seconds before a natural disaster occurs, how are they to prepare for such an event? FEMA’s web site is frequently visited to obtain the answers to this question. However, is your home the only asset you need to protect when a natural disaster occurs? What about your finances? How can you protect them?
Protecting your home and family are top priority, so this is where we will begin.
Home Survival Kit / Emergency Kit
It is strongly suggested by the Red Cross that a home survival kit be created. These kits should consist of toiletries, a week’s worth of prescription medicine, first aid kit, a Swiss Army knife, thermal blankets, waterproof matches, and water purification tablets. Your home survival kit should be stored in an easily accessible location for quick evacuation from the home.
When natural disasters hit, it is vital to have an emergency generator in your home. The emergency generator will provide a few hours of gas powered electricity that will keep your home warm, your food cold, and key lights on. To operate the generator, you simply pull the cord in much the same way you would start a lawnmower. It is strongly suggested that you have an electrician install a switch so that you are not being charged utility costs when using the generator.
Be sure to protect your electronics, including phone and cable wiring, from power surges when electricity is restored. During a power surge, computers, computer systems in your refrigerator, cable box, home phones, heating and cooling systems, etc. all can be destroyed. A whole-house surge suppressor can be purchased to protect all valuable electronics in your home.
Finally, it is important to have a flood fix. Heavy rains and snow can cause gutters and plumbing systems to back up. When flooding occurs, it can ruin all of the valuables you have stored in your basement or crawl space. A battery powered sump pump can be installed in your home, to avoid flooding when a torrential down pour or blizzard occurs. The sump pump is placed in a pit in the basement floor, when the water reaches the top of the hole, the sump pump kicks on and drains the water. A good sump pump will alert you of flooding and have a back-up pump should the first fail.
Who says insurance is a scam?
Insurance is the key to protecting your home and assets when a natural disaster arises. Depending on where your home is situated, the standard Homeowners policy may exclude natural disasters that frequently occur in that area. For example, if your home is located a few hundred feet from a river, flooding may be excluded from the policy. It is vital to purchase all extra coverages that may be required to protect your assets from a natural disaster: flood, earthquake, valuables. Always insure the building and it’s contents at replacement-cost to ensure that everything will be restored at today’s prices. Insurance can also be purchased for long-term disability should you be injured during a natural disaster. This coverage can be obtained through AFLAC or other insurance carriers that the majority of large businesses endorse.
Money, money, money!
To protect your finances from a natural disaster, place your money in a bank insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. A financial institution backed by the FDIC is generally covered for $250,000.00 per a depositor at each insured bank. Always be sure to verify a financial institution’s strength and stability prior to investing. Bankrate.com can provide you with these ratings for numerous financial institutions.
Natural Disater: Hurricane Irene
Helpful post to be aware of the unexpected natural disaters to occur. The dilemma of the Hurricane Irene is still then fresh on our memories. I read from this article Irene may join top 10 priciest natural disasters in US history that Hurricane Irene top the priciest natural disasters that marked on US history. The expenses associated with Hurricane Irene could go beyond $10 billion before the dust settles, much of that related to great flood damage. The climbing insurance bill could place Irene among the top 10 priciest disasters in United States history. Led by the destructive Hurricane Katrina, here are America's top ten most costly natural disasters.
Useful
I compltely agree with what you have written. Most of us are optimistic & hope for the best, but we need to be cautious too & be prepared. Everyone definitely should have a home survival kit because it shows you are cautious & care for yourself & your family. In reminds me of the scouts motto too- Be prepared.
Thanks for reminding me about this.
Lets Get Prepared America!
Let's turn off the freakin' television set for one night a week and instead invest time in to making our homes and communities safer. We have to be prepared for a disaster of some sort. After all, we know its just a matter of time before the next one happens. And what are we going to do - depend on the government to feed us? I do remember the fiasco at Katrina. Mexican troops came out to help out with delivering supplies? What the heck? This should be a big sign to everyone American need to have plan of action to protect their own families in time of disaster.
Great Ideas Here
Do you remember Katrina? The government could not and should be counted on helping citizens during a major emergency. Do you remember the gulf oil spill? The government or private industry couldnt do anything except watch billions of gallons of oil seep into the gulf waters. The idea here is that we should all secure and plan for the safety of our families. These ideas are great and I appreciate the article. I can only hope that more and more people start thinking about these issues. I bet that the majority of us are not ready to face a similar disaster in our own home town. I would also add that stockpiling medication and water is also important, especially if you have children. The only thing for certain is that disasters will occur, future attacks will happen, and we all need to be prepared!
Agreed
I fully agree with this article most people don' want to think it could happen to them but more and more natural disasters will occur and do every day. It is always good to be atleast a little prepared. Good main things are pointed out in this article.