5 Tips to Prepare for Emergencies at Home

Whether you’re a homeowner or not, emergency preparedness is important for everyone. In an emergency where time is limited and the stakes are high, being prepared and having a plan can make all the difference for you, your family and your home. Here are five tips for emergency preparedness at home, from Hippo Home Insurance. 

1. Build an Emergency Preparedness Binder 

There are many different types of emergencies you can prepare for, but one of the best first steps for preparedness is to gather all important documents in one place. 

“This emergency preparedness binder should include important contacts and documents, evacuation plans and meeting locations,” says Home Insights Expert Courtney Klosterman. “Everyone in your home should be very familiar with the binder’s contents and where it lives in your home. Ideally, you should store it in a safe that’s both water- and fire-proof.” 

Some things to consider adding to your binder include: 

• Emergency contacts – phone numbers for out-of-state loved ones, neighbors, school administrators, doctors and dentists, utility providers and non-emergency officials 
• Reunion locations – an established place or places where your family members will meet up if you’re separated in the event of an emergency 
• Home floor plans – rough outlines of the rooms in your home and the locations of fire extinguishers, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, first aid kits, gas and electricity shut-offs, ladders, etc. 
• Important documents – passports, birth certificates, recent IDs, Social Security cards, adoption documents, insurance documents, home and car deeds and wills, for example 
• Medical records – immunization records, medical insurance cards and prescriptions  
• Financial information – credit card information, bank routing and account numbers and investment information 
• Pet emergency information – veterinarian contact, pet medical records, current photos and microchip identification numbers 

2. Tailor Your Plan to Specific Emergencies 

You’re not likely to encounter a tsunami in Pennsylvania, but there are other emergencies that are more common. The Keystone State is at high risk of hurricanes and winter storms, according to the Red Cross, and disasters like floods, home fires, extreme heat, power outages and thunderstorms can occur anywhere. Know which emergencies are most likely and prepare accordingly. 

3. Create a Fire Preparedness Checklist 

“Even if you don’t live in an area where wildfires are common, creating a fire plan for your family is a must,” Klosterman says. “After all, there are about 360,000 home fires across the United States every year, according to the National Fire Protection Association.” 

Here are some items to add to your fire preparedness checklist: 

• Place fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home 
• Purchase collapsible ladders for each upstairs bedroom 
• Plan two evacuation routes in each room 
• Remove clothes, rags and other materials from around furnaces 
• Clear lint buildup in your dryer after every use 
• Clean your chimney every year  
• Keep electrical cords away from walls and on top of carpets 
• Practice family fire drills twice per year 

4. Don’t Forget Hurricane Preparedness 

“Depending on where you live, hurricane season runs from mid-May or early June to the end of November, and the busiest month is typically September, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,” Klosterman notes. 

While Pennsylvania doesn’t often get the brunt of hurricanes, it does often feel the effects of them, including flooding and high winds. Add these tips to your checklist for hurricane season: 

• Sign up to receive alerts from local authorities 
• Remove or bolt down loose items like bikes, tables, chairs, trash cans, kids toys, etc. 
• Trim tree branches close to your home 
• Unplug small appliances 
• Keep your fridge and freezer at their coldest settings 
• Keep your car’s gas tank at least half-full 
• Know your town’s evacuation route 
• Install a sump pump with a battery backup 
• Learn how to shut off your gas and water supply 

5. Assemble an Emergency Kit 

“You can buy a premade emergency kit, but it’s often better to make your own,” Klosterman shares. “That way you can customize it and make sure you’re prepared for all types of emergencies. As a bonus, you can also put in items that could comfort your family during times of crisis, such as your favorite snacks, cozy blankets and even special books or toys.” 

Store your emergency kit somewhere cool and dry, making sure to replace expired items regularly. A well-planned kit may include: 

• One gallon of water per person (and one-half gallon per pet) per day for three days 
• Three-day supply of non-perishable food per person and a manual can opener 
• Prescription and non-prescription medications 
• Your emergency preparedness binder 
• Weather radio 
• Generator 
• First aid kit 
• Flashlight and batteries 
• Multi-purpose tool and scissors 
• Cell phone chargers 
• Sleeping bags 
• Gloves and blankets for each person 
• Matches 
• Masks to filter air 
• Extra cash 
• Pet food 
• Other comforting items