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SACRAMENTO,
Calif. — Hurricanes, earthquakes, flooding. And that
was just August on the East Coast.
The
recent storm-related havoc that pummeled Easterners from
New York to North Carolina reminds us that
weather-related disasters can strike anywhere, anytime.
Here’s
how to be prepared so your home and family can avoid the
worst.
BE
SURE YOU’RE INSURED: Whether you rent or own, having
some insurance coverage can mean the difference between
losing everything or just a little.
“Homeowners
need to update their policy every one to two years,
following renovations or making a major purchase,”
such as extensive remodeling or a big-screen TV, said
Tully Lehman, spokesman for the Insurance Information
Network of California (IINC), in an email. Even if your
home’s market value has plummeted, be sure your
insurance coverage is sufficient to cover rebuilding
costs after a disaster.
Talk
with your insurer to be sure you understand what’s in
your policy.
KEEP
THE NUMBERS HANDY: Always have your insurance
information with you — “either electronically on a
smartphone or, for us old-timers, on a card you keep in
your wallet,” Lehman said.
The
IINC has an “Insurance 411” form on their website,
http:/// www.iinc.org/,
where you type in all your policy information and print
out a wallet-size card to carry with you.
PROTECT
YOUR PAPERS: In an emergency, you want a grab-and-go
financial box that holds all your personal paperwork,
everything from insurance documents to medical records.
There are companies like LifeInCase.com that sell
financial-filing boxes for $34.99.
But
you don’t have to spend that much. Pick up an
accordion-style file box at an office-supply store and
create your own. You can label sections for Insurance,
Medical, Property Records, etc., and insert copies of
important papers.
If
it’s waterproof or fireproof, even better. (Keep the
originals in a safe deposit box or fireproof container.)
“Everyone
in the house should know where it is,” said Lehman,
“so that if police or fire personnel come banging on
your door saying ‘Get out!’ you know that someone
will grab it.”
DO
AN INVENTORY: Whether it’s a paper, computer or video
recording, create a room-by-room inventory of your
possessions and home improvements.
“It’s
absolutely essential,” said state Insurance
Commissioner Dave Jones, who advised Californians
earlier this summer that a household inventory is one of
the best ways to avoid “being victimized twice” in
disputes with insurers after a disaster.
The
California Department of Insurance has a “Home
Inventory Guide,” available online or in print, that
recommends videotaping your home’s contents or
attaching photos of your valuables, with receipts for
major appliances, remodeling projects, etc.
Most
insurance companies offer similar inventory lists, and
there are free online programs, such as “Know Your
Stuff” from the Insurance Information Institute.
NEED
EXTRA COVERAGE? Most insurance policies do not cover
earthquake or flood damage. Consider whether you want to
buy additional coverage, either through the federal
National Flood Insurance Program or your state.
Look
at your location (whether you’re in a flood- or
earthquake-prone area) to determine if you need the
additional coverage. In some areas, flood insurance is
required, particularly in high-risk areas. In other
areas, it’s suggested but not mandatory.
“People
need to evaluate the costs and risks and decide for
themselves,” Vince Wetzel, the Sacramento spokesman
for State Farm Insurance, said earlier this year.
QUAKE-PROOF
YOUR HOME: Keep heavy bookcases or furniture away from
beds or sitting areas. Falling furniture can block an
escape route and is a leading cause of death during an
earthquake. Consider strapping or bolting heavy pieces
to the wall.
If
you’re concerned about breakable items or small
collectibles in your home, look into putties and gels
that let you secure them to a mantel, shelf or tabletop.
In the kitchen, you might want to install latches that
can prevent dishes from tumbling out of cabinets. (For
details, see: www.quakeinfo.org.)
REDUCING
FIRE RISKS: Check your smoke alarm regularly. The
classic advice is to replace the batteries every fall
when you turn your clock back for daylight saving time.
Some safety experts recommend checking your smoke alarm
once a month by pressing the test button.
Outdoors,
clear dry brush and vegetation at least 100 feet from
your home’s exterior. This so-called “defensible
space” can keep fire from leaping onto your home,
according to the state Department of Forestry and Fire
Protection.
Prune
low-lying limbs away from your home’s roof. Clear out
your gutters ahead of this winter’s rains.
KEEPIN’
A LIGHT ON: In case of power outages, keep handy some
emergency light sources: flashlights with batteries;
lightsticks, which glow up to 12 hours; LED or propane
lanterns; plug-in nightlights that double as portable
illumination; or candles and matches.
Know
exactly where they are so you’re not fumbling around
in the dark, particularly if you have a second-story
home. Ideally, a light source and shoes should always be
by each person’s bed.
Have
an escape route in case of fire and be sure your kids
and family members know how to use it safely. If
you’re in a two-story home or upstairs apartment, you
might invest in a hanging ladder.
Have
a designated “safe spot” where everyone can meet
outside if you need to evacuate your home in an
emergency.
As
with Hurricane Irene, people are often left scrambling
at the last minute to stock up on bottled water,
packaged foods, portable generators and other items to
get them through an emergency.
To
avoid being caught unprepared, keep a small stash of
nonperishable food, water and medical supplies on hand.
Replace as needed.
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