How To Handle Home Emergencies Like A Pro

2/19/2023

Home is where the heart is, but it's also where emergencies can occur. A household emergency can happen at any time, from natural disasters to unexpected medical situations. It's essential to plan for an emergency to ensure you and your loved ones' safety. Whether you're a homeowner or a renter, knowing how to handle an emergency at home can make all the difference.

In this blog post, we will discuss how to prepare for a home emergency like a pro, including building a survival kit and creating an emergency plan. By following these tips, you'll be able to handle any household emergency that comes your way.

How To Handle Home Emergencies Like A Pro

Create An Emergency Plan

Creating an emergency plan is one of the most important steps you can take to handle a household emergency. Your emergency plan should include:

Escape routes from your home in case of a fire or other emergency
A designated meeting place for your family in case you are separated
Contact information for family members, friends, and neighbors
Instructions for how to turn off utilities like gas and water
A plan for your pets, including a carrier and food and water supplies
A plan for any family members with special needs

Make sure to discuss your emergency plan with your family members and practice it regularly. This will ensure that everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency and can act quickly.

Keep A List Of Contacts

Having a list of emergency contacts is crucial for handling a household emergency. Your list should include the contact information for local emergency services such as fire, police, and ambulance. Additionally, you should include the contact information for your family members, friends, and neighbors. Make sure that everyone in your household knows where the list is and how to access it. You can also save the list on your phone or other mobile device for easy access.

Just in Case:A Record of Vital Information in the Event of Emergency, Natural Disaster, Prolonged Illness, or Death, amazon.com

Simplified Address and Password Book with Alphabetical Tabs, amazon.com

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Build A Survival Kit

A survival kit (aka "bugout bag") is a crucial part of handling a household emergency. It should contain items that can help you and your family survive for at least 72 hours. Some items that you should include in your survival kit are:

Water bottles or a water filtration system
Non-perishable food items such as canned goods, energy bars, and dried fruits
First aid kit with essential items such as band-aids, gauze, and antiseptic wipes
Flashlight and extra batteries
Radio or other communication device
Warm blankets or sleeping bags
Personal hygiene items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, and hand sanitizer
Cash and important documents

You can purchase a pre-made survival kit like the ones below, or assemble one yourself. Make sure to store the kit in an easily accessible location in case of an emergency.

Heavy Duty 72 Hour Bug Out Bag For 4 Persons, amazon.com

Complete 72 Hour Bug Out Bag Emergency Survival Kit for Family, amazon.com

Use Advantageous Services

There are several services that can help you handle a home emergency. For example, you can sign up for emergency alerts from your local government or emergency management agency. These alerts will provide you with critical information about the emergency, such as evacuation orders or shelter-in-place instructions. You can also sign up for text alerts from your utility companies, which will notify you of any power outages or other utility issues. Additionally, you can consider signing up for a home security system that includes fire and carbon monoxide detectors.

It's also essential to contact a restoration service after a home emergency such as a fire or flood because they have the expertise and equipment necessary to address the damage and restore your home to its pre-loss condition. Restoration professionals are trained to assess the extent of the damage, develop a plan of action, and work quickly to mitigate further damage.

In addition to the above topics, it's important to have a clear understanding of what to do in a specific emergency situation. Here are some additional tips on handling common home emergencies:

Fire

Install smoke alarms in every room and test them regularly
Have a fire extinguisher readily available and know how to use it
If a fire occurs, evacuate immediately and call 911 from a safe location
If you're unable to evacuate, stay low to the ground and cover your nose and mouth with a cloth

Flood

Know the location of your water shutoff valve and how to turn it off
Move furniture and valuables to a higher level in case of flooding
Never attempt to walk or drive through floodwaters
Evacuate immediately if instructed to do so by local authorities

Power Outage

Keep flashlights and extra batteries on hand
Unplug appliances to protect them from power surges when power is restored
Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to maintain temperature
If the outage lasts for an extended period, consider moving to a temporary shelter.

Preparing for a household emergency is crucial to ensure your family's safety and well-being. Keep cash on hand, build a survival kit, and maintain a list of emergency contacts. Take advantage of services such as emergency alerts and home security systems. Additionally, create an emergency plan that includes escape routes, meeting places, and instructions for utilities and special needs. Lastly, know how to handle common home emergencies such as fires, floods, and power outages. By following these tips, you can handle any home emergency like a pro.

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