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Be Prepared

•    Make sure you are covered effectively by your insurance for disasters.

•    Make a list of possessions to assist you with claim reimbursements.  Include model numbers and photos of the items.

•    Keep insurance information in a safe and secure place.  Consider getting a safe-deposit box or a flood/fire safe box for your home. 

•    Learn what disasters or emergencies may occur in your area.  These events can range from those affecting only you and your family, like a home fire or medical emergency, to those affecting your entire community, like an earthquake or flood. 

•    Identify how local authorities will notify you during a disaster and how you will get information, whether through local radio, TV or NOAA Weather Radio stations or channels.

•    Know the difference between various weather alerts, such as watches and warnings, and what actions to take in each.

•    Know what actions to take to protect yourself during disasters that may occur in areas where you travel or have moved recently.  For example, if you travel to a place where earthquakes are common and you are not familiar with them, make sure you know what to do to protect yourself should one occur. 

•    When a major disaster occurs, loved ones may be hurt, and emergency response is likely to be delayed.  Make sure that at least one member of your household is trained in first aid and CPR and knows how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).  This training is useful in many emergency situations.