Rob and Linda love their “to-do” lists. Their refrigerator can sometimes be confused for a large poster board, filled with multi-colored post-it notes for everything from household chores for their kids to walking times for their two Labrador Retrievers. They seem to be ready for just about everything. But what’s missing from their list is the family’s emergency plan should something happen, such as a hurricane, fire, or flood.

September is National Preparedness Month, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is urging everyone to prepare at least one proactive way to keep themselves and their families safe from disasters and emergencies. FEMA says this is important because, although disasters can strike at any time, they are seeing more disasters outside of common seasons, such as hurricane season, which is typically June through November. That, coupled with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, is reason enough to make sure you and your family are prepared.

Time for Rob and Linda to make a little more room on their fridge. 

As part of their “Resolve To Be Ready” annual campaign, FEMA recommends:

• Signing up for weather and emergency alerts. You can download the FEMA app to receive real-time alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations throughout the U.S.
• Put together an emergency supply kit with items such as water, food, flashlight, tools, and a first aid kit. Your emergency kit should have supplies for each person in your household and last for several days.
• Create an emergency communications plan so everyone in your home knows what to do in case of an emergency. The plan should also include a rendezvous point if family members become separated.
• Learn the types of disasters that are likely in your community (e.g. flooding) and your local evacuation and shelter plans. Also, don’t forget to identify a place that will accept pets as most public shelters only allow service animals.
• Stay up to date with all vaccinations, especially for COVID-19. 

“We recommend to all our policyholders that they conduct an insurance checkup once a year or after any major life change, but an insurance coverage review should be a mandatory “to-do” list item during your emergency planning,” said Robert Gibb, owner of Robert Gibb Insurance Associates, LLC. “For example, if you live in an area prone to flooding, don’t wait until the summer months to check your coverage.”

If you haven’t yet revisited your home or auto insurance coverage, now is a great time to conduct an insurance check-up to ensure you and your family are best protected. Contact your local Rockingham agent to conduct your check-up today.