Preparing For A Catastrophe

FIRES

BEFORE THE FIRE 
Protecting You and Your Family 

• Install smoke detectors and familiarize your family with the sound of the alarm. 
• Plan an escape route from your home. If possible, every room should have two escape routes. 
• Remember that smoke and heat rise. When you encounter smoke, crawl on the floor where the air is cleaner. 

• Make sure your roof is constructed with fire resistant materials. 
• Mark the location of your home clearly so that firefighters can easily locate your home. 
• Keep a fire extinguisher in your home. 
• Landscape your yard with fire-resistant plants. Check with your local fire department or landscapers to determine which plants are safe. Clear all other vegetation that is at least 30 yards from your home. 
• Make an inventory of your possessions and store it off the premises. If your stuff is damaged, this list will help facilitate the claim filing process.

• Plan a safe rendezvous point for you and your family in the event that you are separated during a fire. 
• Do not return to a your home until officials declare that there is no more threat of fire. 

• Notify your insurance agent or company representative as soon as possible. If you have vacated the premises, make sure your representative knows where to contact you. 
• Make a detailed list of all damaged or destroyed personal property. Don't throw out damaged property until you have met with an adjuster. Use pictures and inventory lists to help your insurance agent and adjuster assess the damages.  
• Keep receipts for living expenses beyond your normal ones and for temporary repair costs so you can seek insurance reimbursement. 
• Don't be rushed into signing repair contracts. Deal with reputable contractors. If you're unsure about a contractor's credentials, contact your claims adjuster, Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce for referrals. Make sure the contractor you hire is experienced in repair work - not just new construction. Be sure of payment terms and consult your agent or adjuster before you sign any contracts. 
  

• Flood watches are issued when rain is heavy enough to cause rivers to over flow. 
• Flood warnings describe the severity of the situation and indicate when and where the flood will begin. 
• Flash flood watches are issued when heavy rain is occurring or is expected to occur. 
• Flash flood warnings are issued when flooding is occurring suddenly. In the event of flash flooding, move immediately to high ground. 
• Educate you and your family about your community's flood warnings. 

• Plan an evacuation route. 
• Develop a plan for you and your family to communicate if you are separated when a flood comes. 

• If you are moving into a new home, apartment or business location, make sure you have adequate insurance coverage. Your bank, local officials or insurance representative can inform you if your location is at risk for flooding. 
• Flood insurance is excluded under homeowners and renters policies, but it is covered under the comprehensive section of standard automobile insurance policies and some coverage is available for floods under special commercial insurance policies. 
• Flood insurance for homeowners, renters and businesses is administered through the federal government and can be purchased from an insurance agent or company under contract with the Federal Insurance Administration (FIA), part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Flood insurance is only available where the local government has adopted adequate flood plain management regulations under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Most communities participate in the program. 
• Flood insurance covers direct physical losses by flood and losses resulting from flood-related erosion caused by waves or currents of water exceeding anticipated cyclical levels and accompanies a sever storm, flash flood, abnormal tide surge or a similar situation which results in flooding. Flood insurance also may cover mudslides. 
• Coverage for the structure and contents of the home are sold separately. Buildings are covered for replacement cost but content coverage is available on an actual cash value basis only. 
• Maintain a supply of emergency materials: plywood, plastic sheeting, nails, hammer, shovels, sandbags, flashlight, batteries, battery-operated radio, first aid kit, medication, sturdy shoes, emergency food and water, cash and credit cards. 
• Install a system to prevent flood water from backing up in sewer drains. 
• Locate switches to turn off gas, electricity and water. 
• Make an inventory of your possessions and store it off the premises. If your stuff is damaged, this list will help facilitate the claim filing process.

• Do not enter your home if flood waters are over the first floor. 
• Flood waters may bring poisonous snakes into your home. When walking through your home wear thick shoes and be alert. 
• Do not consume food that has come in contact with flood waters. 
• Beware of fire hazards such as broken gas lines, flooded electrical circuits and flammable or explosive materials coming from upstream. 

• Inspect your home for damage, especially for cracks in foundations. 
• If your basement has flooded, do not pump it out all at once. Remove about one-third of the water per day. The wet ground surrounding your basement may cause the floors to buckle and the walls to collapse. 
• Water may have weakened walls and ceilings. Be on the look out for falling walls and plaster. 
• Make temporary repairs. Keep all receipts done for work on your property. Most insurance companies cover reasonable expenses. 
• Notify your insurance agent or company representative as soon as possible. If you have vacated the premises, make sure your representative knows where to contact you. 
• Take pictures of damaged property and keep notes. Use pictures and inventory lists to help your insurance agent and adjuster assess the damages. 
• Don't be rushed into signing repair contracts. Deal with reputable contractors. If you're unsure about a contractor's credentials, contact your claims adjuster, Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce for referrals. Make sure the contractor you hire is experienced in repair work - not just new construction. Be sure of payment terms and consult your agent or adjuster before you sign any contracts. 
  
  

TORNADOES BEFORE A TORNADO STRIKES
Protecting You and Your Family

Warnings/Watches 

• Remember that a watch means that weather conditions are favorable for a tornado and a warning means one has been spotted in your area. 
• Learn the warning signals used in your community. If a siren sounds, that means stay inside and take cover. 
• Consider setting up a neighborhood information program through a club, church group or community group. Hold briefings on safety procedures as tornado season approaches. Set up a system to make sure senior citizens and shut-ins are alerted if there is a tornado warning.

• Do not try to outrun a tornado. Instead, stay calm and seek shelter. 
• At home or work seek shelter in the central part of the building, away from windows. Basements are the best havens. If this is not an option, take cover in the bathroom, closet, interior hallway or under a heavy piece of furniture. 
• If you are in your car, abandon your vehicle and seek shelter in the nearest ditch if no other facility is available. 
• People living in mobile homes should vacate the premises and seek shelter elsewhere. 

• If a tornado watch has been issued, move cars inside a garage or carport to avoid damage from hail that often accompanies tornadoes. Keep your car keys and house keys with you. 
• If time permits, move lawn furniture and yard equipment such as lawnmowers inside. Otherwise they could become damaged or act as dangerous projectiles causing serious injury or damage. 
• Make an inventory of your possessions and store it off the premises. If your stuff is damaged, this list will help facilitate the claim filing process.

• Keep calm. Stay in your shelter until after the storm is over. 
• Check people around you for injuries. Begin first aid or seek help if necessary. 
• When you go outside, watch out for downed power lines. 

• Make temporary repairs to prevent further loss from rain, wind or looting. These costs are reimbursable under most policies so keep the receipts. 
• Keep receipts for additional living expenses such as temporary housing. These costs are reimbursable under most policies so keep the receipts. 
• Make a detailed list of all damaged or destroyed personal property. Don't throw out damaged property until you have met with an adjuster. 
• Check utility lines and appliances for damage. If you smell gas, open the windows and turn off the main valve. Don't turn on lights or appliances until the gas has dissipated. If electric wires are shorting out, turn off the power. 
• Don't be rushed into signing repair contracts. Deal with reputable contractors. If you're unsure about a contractor's credentials, contact your claims adjuster, Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce for referrals. Make sure the contractor you hire is experienced in repair work - not just new construction. Be sure of payment terms and consult your agent or adjuster before you sign any contracts. 
• Notify your insurance agent or company representative as soon as possible. If you have vacated the premises, make sure your representative knows where to contact you.