Starting the new year right…preparing your household for an unforeseen emergency!

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It’s a brand new year at Head and Malesis Insurance and we are so excited to see how the year unfolds.  As a team, we have been talking about how we can be more in touch with our clients and also pass along important information and address insurance related topics that we are dealing with in our own lives.  That being said, we are launching our new blog, so that we can share things that we are working on and the things that people want and need to know.

One of the things that our team has been discussing a lot is how to be more prepared for a natural disaster, especially the possibility of an earthquake in our area….you know, the big one we keep hearing about.  Just like everyone else, we have taken note of all the smaller earthquakes in our area and read the countless articles about what might happen if a large earthquake took place here in the Northwest.   We know it’s important to take the time to prepare, so we wanted to share some information on how to put together an emergency preparedness kit.  You just never know when the next earthquake will be in our area but we would love for you to have some piece of mind, knowing you have the right supplies ready.

What You Need in an Emergency Kit

You never know when a natural disaster is going to hit the Pacific Northwest— or even just a big storm that knocks out the power for a few days.

That’s why having an emergency kit for you and your family is so important. It’s not hard to put one together, yet there are still many households that would be completely unprepared if they had to evacuate their home for a few days. Or, for that matter, remain in their home without access to running water or electricity.

Below is a list of basic items for your emergency kit, as recommended by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Of course, you can add or remove items as needed to meet the specific needs of you and your family.

One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days.

A three-day supply of nonperishable food for people and pets. (Note that the Red Cross recommends keeping a two-week supply of food and water on hand at home.)

A battery-powered or hand-crank radio, flashlights and extra batteries.

A first-aid kit.

Prescription medications and glasses.

Dust masks to filter contaminated air, along with plastic sheeting and duct tape to create a makeshift shelter if necessary.

A whistle to signal for help.

Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation.

A tool to turn off utilities.

A can opener.

Local maps.

Additional items that are likely to be useful:

Important documents, such as copies of insurance policies, identification and birth certificates, bank account records, etc. Be sure to keep these in a watertight container.

Extra cash or traveler’s checks.

Warm blankets or sleeping bags for each person in your family.

Matches.

Paper plates, plastic cups and utensils and paper towels.

Paper and pencils.

Books and activities to keep kids busy.

Emergency reference material, such as a first-aid book.

A complete change of clothing for everyone in the family, including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. If you live in a cold climate, you might pack additional clothing and bedding.

Keep in mind, when you need your emergency kit, you really need it. It’s a small investment of time and effort that can have a huge benefit in case of a disaster. And you don’t have to spend your whole day putting it together — spread out the work over a few days and youll be prepared in no time.

Our agents at Head and Malesis Insurance are also a knowledgeable resource regarding earthquake insurance.  With earthquake damage typically not covered by your standard homeowner policy, earthquake insurance can be an important addition to your coverage.  If you have questions, we are here and ready to help answer them!  We can even provide you with a quote for earthquake insurance, so you can make an informed decision regarding whether or not earthquake insurance is right for you!  Give us a call at (253) 939-0580 today.