Now that spring has arrived, the violent storms of the summer months are only a few weeks away! It’s best to get your home ready for Mother Nature’s wrath now, so here at Savvi, we put together an emergency preparedness guide every homeowner can do in one afternoon.
Make or check your evacuation plan
Similar to a fire evacuation plan, you also need a home emergency plan for your family. If your area is prone to tornadoes, then make sure your family knows to retreat to a basement, closet, safe room, or storm shelter. If your area is prone to earthquakes, practice "drop, cover, and hold on."
Have a place to meet inside the neighborhood, like a neighbor's house or a certain tree, in case your family needs to evacuate your home. Also, pick a place outside the immediate area, like a library or a friend's house, in case a family member can't make it home. This way, your family will have a safe place to stay during a severe storm, and you’ll know where to find them after the storm passes.
In the event you need to evacuate, you can check your home with Savvi’s HD security devices. See your home no matter where you are with our secure live feed 24/7. Monitor movement with motion, door, and window sensors, so you always know what’s going on in your home. Receive notices right on your smart phone when something is opened or closed, so you can take quick action.
Gather emergency supplies
If your area is prone to devastating storms, like hurricanes, then be prepared with emergency supplies. Make sure to have:
Water for at least three days (one gallon per person per day).
Non-perishable food for three days.
A battery-powered radio for weather updates.
First-aid kits.
Local maps.
Portable cell phone chargers.
Head over to Ready.gov for a complete list of items you need to have in your emergency kit.
If you already have an emergency kit, give it a quick check to make sure everything is in order. Don’t forget to check expiration dates!
Sign up for local alerts
Most local communities have an alert system, which will send messages via email or text to your phone. Generally, these automated systems will send all kinds of information, from tips on how to prepare for a storm to garage pick-up delays. You can usually sign up for this service on your community's website, or if available, you can follow your town's social media accounts.
Follow national weather and emergency information social media accounts, such as @NOAA, @NWS, and @FEMA. These channels will provide you with more information about impending, dangerous weather.
Prepare for a power outage
Severe weather is the leading cause of power outages, so hope for the best but plan for the worst. Here’s a few steps you should take to make sure your home is ready, just in case.
Buy a standby generator if your area has several severe storms throughout the season.
Check that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are operational and have back-up batteries. (This is super important as carbon monoxide poisoning happens frequently after power outages and can be deadly.)
Invest in surge protectors and turning off any electronics and appliances to prevent damage in case of a power surge.
Buy a solar charger for your phone.
Fill large Ziplock bags with water and pack your freezer. (These can help to keep your food cold longer and give you fresh water as they melt.)
If you or someone within your home needs power for medical devices, reach out to your utility company. Your area may be added to a priority service list for faster reconnection.
If you have refrigerated medicine, call your local pharmacy and find out how to handle power outages. After all, even with refrigerator and freezer doors closed, food can only stay cold for approximately four hours.
Unfortunately, fires happen frequently in the aftermath of strong storms. Undetected fires can destroy a home in minutes. Being alerted to a fire before you smell the smoke is critical, so you and your family can escape safely. Our detectors are equipped with a 85dBm alarm and send alerts to your smart phone and our 24/7 monitoring center for rapid action from first responders.
Prepare the outside of your home, too
Move your car to a safe location, one that usually doesn't flood. Secure your patio furniture. (Don't let your patio umbrella fly through your neighbor's window.) Protect your home by covering windows and doors with plywood or plastic shields as needed.
Prior to every (winter and summer) storm season, you should also visually inspect the trees on and around your property. Walk around the exterior of your home and make note of any dangerous limbs and trees. If you're able to cut the threatening branches safely, do so. For any sickly trees or precarious branches, call a professional for assistance.
Call Savvi or your Savvi insurance agent
Summer storms can do a lot of danger to your home, so take some time to review your homeowners insurance policy. If you're uncertain about potential gaps in coverage, such as flood or disaster insurance, give us our your Savvi agent a call. Tell them your concerns, and they'll make sure you have the appropriate insurance coverage for the severe weather your home might see this summer.
Overall, you should review your insurance policy once a year. Any renovations to your home and new personal property (including jewelry and technology) should be added to your policy to keep your coverage up to date.
Savvi Insurance Group, Inc., based in Charlotte, North Carolina, is committed to helping families and individuals prevent losses, stay safe, and protect the people and things they love. We do that by providing our customers with our cutting-edge smart home security system along with a suite of services and benefits designed to proactively predict and prevent losses from happening in the first place.
We then back that up with comprehensive, modernized insurance protection and concierge-style claims handling, at prices that recognize and reward the benefits of a smarter, better protected home.
Originally published on vipHomeLink.com