A disaster can strike your household at any given time. Many families will have an emergency plan in case of a house fire, but most do not think about what to do in case of a flood or significant water damage from an appliance or another source. All household emergency plans should be kept simple and easy to remember. Everyone in the household should understand what to do, where to go, and what to take in the event of a disaster.

Each household member will have a role to play during an emergency. Making a family disaster plan is important to share ideas, responsibilities and learn to work as a team. Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen in your area. Explain what to do in each case whether it’s flood or fire. Here are some of the first pieces of information your family should discuss during disaster planning:

• Two designated places to meet, one outside your home in case of sudden emergencies like a fire, and one outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return to your home.
• Know your family contacts. Pick an out-of-town or state friend to call and let know you are safe.
• Discuss what to do in an evacuation and plan what to do with pets.

Assemble a Disaster Kit

Have enough water to last you 10 to 30 days. During an emergency, your home may lose access to water. During a flood, you may be surrounded by water, but that water will be unsanitary. You also may not have access to drinking water. Plan to have one gallon per person per day. This includes drinking, food preparation, and sanitation water.

At least three days worth of non-perishable food and potable water should be stored for disasters. A basic first-aid kit should also be kept with emergency kits. Keep a smaller kit in the trunk of your car. Your kit should also include:

• Medical consent and history forms for each family member
• A small, waterproof flashlight with extra batteries and matches
• A pay-as-you-go phone or cell phone solar charger
• Sunscreen and insect repellant
• Whistle and a 12-hour light stick/glow stick
• A thermal blanket/space blanket

At Restoration Experts, our goal is to keep you and your family safe during any disaster. In our line of work, we see many fires, floods, and water damage disasters. We hope these tips can help your family make a sturdy plan for escape. Call us anytime with questions or concerns at 1-877-502-8782.