Tips For Emergency Preparedness And Home Insurance Protection

Littleton CO

07 April, 2022

6:33 AM

Description

Press release from the Arapahoe County Government: April 6, 2022 The Marshall Fire was one of the most devastating fires in Colorado history. On Dec. 30, 2021, fires raged across more than 6,000 acres, through Boulder County, destroying more than 1,000 homes and structures in a day. Unfortunately, one of the common discoveries after the Marshall Fire was that homeowners and renters often didn't know they didn't have adequate insurance coverage to rebuild their homes and replace their belongings. But this harsh reality didn't come as a surprise to insurance experts. About two out of every three homes in America are underinsured, according to www.nationwide.com. The average underinsurance amount is about 22%, though some homes are underinsured by 60% or more. This means millions of American homeowners are at risk of major financial loss should a disaster ever affect their home. The Rocky Mountain Insurance Association claims that nearly half of Colorado renters are uninsured. They say renters are always a vulnerable group because they think that they are covered by their landlord, or they simply didn't think about carrying renters' insurance. Being underinsured means that you don't have enough home insurance coverage to protect you if your home is damaged or destroyed by a fire or another disaster. Not having enough insurance can result in you paying a large part of the repair construction costs, according to Insurance.com. How do you make sure your home isn't underinsured? One common mistake that homeowners make is not reviewing their home insurance policy each year. Here's a checklist from Insurance.com with tips for ensuring you have sufficient coverage: This checklist may ensure that a home is adequately insured, but when disaster strikes, the fallout can be scary, overwhelming, and stressful for any homeowner. Through United Policyholders, a nonprofit group whose mission is to be a trustworthy and useful information resource for consumers, here are top 10 insurance claim tips: We hope these tips are helpful as you think about securing your home or renters insurance and keeping them updated every year. Please share this information with your family and relatives as well as your colleagues and friends. You and your family may have to evacuate in an emergency. Depending on the urgency of the situation, you may have several hours to gather your belongings or just a few minutes to grab your essentials. To ensure that you and your family are adequately prepared to leave your home safely and quickly, there are a few steps you can take in advance. ArapAlert: Citizen Notification From your phone: emergency notification system to alert citizens about emergencies such as fires, floods, tornados, severe thunderstorms, evacuation of buildings or neighborhoods, and other emergencies. To sign up, visit www.arapalert.com. ArapAlert covers all cities and town in Arapahoe County except for the City of Aurora. If you reside in Aurora, sign up for Alert Aurora. Emergency alert Get the latest information on the County's website: Arapahoe County's Emergency Alert Information. Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office: Office of Emergency Management Videos Prepare Now: Creating a Home Inventory Prepare Now to Stay Safe in an Emergency Later Keeping Your Personal Documents Safe During an Emergency Basic disaster supplies kitBuild A Kit: Ready.gov/kit. After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Being prepared means having enough food, water, and other supplies to last for several days. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency. After assembling your kit, store items in airtight plastic bags and put the entire kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag.A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items: Water (one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation) Food (at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food) Battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert Flashlight First aid kit Extra batteries Whistle (to signal for help) Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air) Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place) Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation) Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities) Manual can opener Local maps Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery Additional Emergency SuppliesSince Spring of 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended people include additional items in their kits to help prevent the spread of viruses and the flu. Consider adding the following items to your emergency supply kit based on your individual needs: Soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes Prescription medications. About half of all Americans take a prescription medicine every day. An emergency can make it difficult for them to refill their prescription or to find an open pharmacy. Organize and protect your prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and vitamins to prepare for an emergency. Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives Prescription eyeglasses and contact lens solution Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream Pet food and extra water for your pet Cash or traveler's checks Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records, all saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate, and sturdy shoes Fire extinguisher Matches in a waterproof container Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils Paper and pencil Books, games, puzzles, or other activities for children Maintaining your kitAfter assembling your kit, remember to maintain it so it's ready when needed: Keep canned food in a cool, dry place Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers Replace expired items as needed Rethink your needs every year and update your kit as your family's needs change Kit storage locationsSince you do not know where you will be when an emergency occurs, prepare separate kits for your home, office, and cars. Home: Keep this kit in a designated place and have it ready in case you have to leave your home quickly. Make sure all family members know where the kit is kept. Office: Be prepared to shelter at work for at least 24 hours. Your work kit should include food, water and other necessities like medicines, as well as comfortable walking shoes, stored in a "grab and go" case. Car: In case you are stranded, keep a kit of emergency supplies in your car. This press release was produced by the Arapahoe County Government. The views expressed here are the author's own.