ICE-In Case of Emergency | Will and a Way

ICE-In Case of Emergency

Planning |

What will you do in a disaster?

Have you made a disaster plan? It’s one of those things you know you need to do. Don’t put it off any longer! It’s easy to panic during a real emergency, but having a plan for yourself, your family, and your home can help you remain calm, act quickly, and stay safe.

Whether natural or man-made, you may already know what types of disasters are most likely to hit your local community. Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the United States. Maybe you live in tornado or hurricane territory or face a wildfire or earthquake risk. We all have the devastating chance of a home fire.

Let’s hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Using checklists, such as these provided by the Department of Homeland Security, can keep you on track.

First things first

How will you know when disaster strikes? Make sure your contact information is current with your local utilities. Sign up for public service alerts. Also, check to see if your town has an emergency alert system in place.

Where will you go in an emergency? Check your county or city website to find emergency evacuation and shelter plans for specific disasters. Each member of your household needs to know where you’ll meet up if you have to evacuate or your home is not safe. Have several travel routes chosen so that you move away from the disaster and can stay away from emergency vehicles and equipment.

How will you communicate during a disaster? You will also want to know the best way to contact each other. Create and print out a list of your contact names and phone numbers. Be sure to include a contact person out of your immediate area, too.

Prepare your home

Do you know what essential tasks need to be taken care of at home? If disaster does strike, you and your family will need to act quickly in a stressful situation. Know where all of the shut off switches are located in your house, including gas and water valves, and what tools you may need, if any. Have you checked and changed the batteries in your smoke alarms lately? Invest in a house fire extinguisher and replace or recharge as needed. If the power goes out, does everyone in your family know how to manually open your garage door?

Making and practicing a family disaster drill, knowing what to do and where to go, can save precious time and resources. Develop separate plans for home and for work.

Disaster supplies kit

Could you survive for 72 hours or longer without help? Your disaster supply kit could actually save your life. Consider carefully just what you will need in your car, your house and at your work site. Be sure to go through your kits at least once a year, reassess what’s mandatory and what’s optional, and replace the perishable items.

Suggested supplies include:

  • Your willandaway.com password
  • One gallon of water per person per day
  • Three-day supply of non-perishable food
  • Manual can opener
  • Paper plates, paper towels, utensils
  • Chargers for cell phones and solar powered battery pack
  • Contact phone numbers
  • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • Prescriptions and needed medications
  • Dust masks
  • Paper map with evacuation routes
  • First aid kit
  • Tools
  • Blankets
  • Whistle
  • Pet items
  • Personal sanitation supplies

As we know at Will and A Way, dealing with conflict and uncertainty is especially hard during a stressful time. It’s easy to panic during a real emergency, but having a plan for yourself, your family, and your home can help you remain calm, act quickly, and stay safe.

Life is uncertain. 

Information shared here is not to be taken as legal or financial advice. Suggestions and resources are presented for your consideration and may or may not apply to your personal situation. Please consult your advisers.

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