Are you prepared for a disaster?  If you can’t answer “YES” to this question, then keep reading.  September is “National Get Organized Month. ”  National Preparedness Month is a nationwide effort held each September to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools. The goal of the month is to increase public awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies and to encourage individuals to take action.

One “organizing” project that does not always receive much thought, time or attention is getting organized and prepared for a natural disaster.  Whether it’s an unexpected snow storm like we experienced in Seattle at the end of November 2007, or the December 2007 windstorm (again in Seattle), a hurricane or an earthquake, there is no time like the present to take action.  There’s also nothing like a little reminder, such as the snow storm and wind storm when many lost power for days in Washington (including yours truly) to give us that nudge to take action.

In order to be prepared, you must make the “time. ”  Just as with any organizing project, the first step is to “make time. ”  And this project will take you a bit of time to complete, but when the day comes, you’ll be thankful you made the time.

Your Next Action Steps
 

• Make a copy of your insurance policy and ensure you understand your coverage.  Be certain that your policy covers additional living expenses, temporary debris removal and temporary repair.  Store the policy in a fire proof box in your home.

• Make copies of “essential document” – such as contact information, copy of driver’s license, passport, social security card, citizenship or naturalization papers, copies of front and back of credit cards, etc…store them in a waterproof container inside a fireproof safe.

• Take a household inventory.

• Stock up on food, water and batteries – enough for each family member and pet for up to three days or more.  Be sure to label when the food was purchased so you can rotate your supply.

• Create a grab & go bag for each family member incase you need to suddenly leave your house.

• Strap your water heater to the wall.

This is not intended to be a complete list of what you need to do to be prepared for the next wind or snow storm or earthquake, but it is a start and everyone needs to start somewhere.  Some of these ideas were taken from the book “Organize for Disaster” by Judith Kolberg.  To get more information about what you need to do to be prepared, please see the Resources section of this article.

Start today so your family can rest assured you are prepared.

Resources

To help you get started, here are some resources that I know you will find helpful:

1.  Organize for Disaster – by Judith Kolberg, available at www.squallpress.net

Organize for Disaster is the most comprehensive book or document I have found to help people prepare.  Judith is a well-known veteran in the Organizing Industry, specializing in this area. 

Also available at squallpress.net are free forms to help you prepare; including:  Medical Information, Vital Contact Information and Family Communication/Reunion

2.  Family Disaster Supplies & Preparedness Calendar – by Chevron, USA – available here

This 4 page calendar is broken down into a few items you should purchase each week  and a few things you need to do each week for 6 months in order to create your disaster center.  I found this guide to helpful in breaking it down into “bite-sized” pieces.

3.  A Guide to being Prepared for when Disruptive Events Occur – by Cracolici & Associates – a 20 page FREE publication available here

Some of the information you’ll find in the guide is:

• Purchasing items for your stockpile
• Infant needs & non-food items
• Other “stuff” you may need
• Planning for infrastructure disruptions
• Power outages
• Water supply disruption/contamination
• Clothing needed to evacuate
• Emergency items in your vehicles
• Basic medical needs, health supplies/equipment
• Special needs & refrigerated medicines


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