Amy Hannold
April is Earthquake Awareness Month. Emergencies, including earthquakes and other disasters you could encounter where you live, can be financially devastating. A visit to the Red Cross website http://www.redcross.org/
can get your family ready for an emergency. The Red Cross encourages everyone to “Make a Plan, Get a Kit, Be Informed”. Their website features a guide on each of those three steps, which you can print and share. “Be Red Cross Ready” – here are a few more resources:
Free Emergency Contact Card (Free Download at RedCross.org):
Print this valuable document (onto cardstock paper for best longevity), fill it out and communicate with those close to you – today!
Be sure to visit the Emergency “Preparedness Fast Facts” page, located on the Red Cross website, which gives you immediate, printable access to a number of Red Cross tip sheets. Read about the emergency circumstances that pertain to you: pets, older relatives, earthquakes, fire, special needs, etc.
Disasters and Financial Planning: A Guide For Preparedness:
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants has prepared this guide so that families may incur as little financial disaster a possible a result of emergencies.
Download this valuable guide. Comprehensively and in plain language, it informs you of what you can do to be prepared for several types of emergencies.
“What’s in it?” Comprehensive information on creating a disaster plan, emergency kit, proper storage of vital documents, estate planning, property protection/insurance, and more. There is also a “Disaster Recovery; a Guide to Financial Issues” which can assist you through the steps towards stability following a disaster. Finding help, locating important documents, employment and cash flow issues are addressed:
http://www.redcross.org/preparedness/FinRecovery/index.html
Have Your Emergency Supplies on Hand: Knowing what you need and having it available to you during an emergency will save you money and stress. Raising a family can delay one’s preparedness, so it’s better to take it ones step at a time. My favorite emergency preparedness resource is distributed by the Red Cross. Pages 41-45 of their “Disaster Preparedness for Persons with Disabilities” has a 20-week plan for building an emergency kit. Financially, this method also makes sense because gathering necessary supplies can be an additional burden on stretched budgets. Follow the plan, including each week’s “To Do” action step, as a family. Everyone will then know what to do when an emergency strikes. http://www.redcross.org/www-files/Documents/pdf/Preparedness/Fast%20Facts/Disaster_Preparedness_for_PwD-English.pdf
Ready.gov – For the Kids
Talking with your kids about emergencies is made easier with the Ready.gov’s “Ready Kids” webpage. Puzzles, games, a printable “Just in Case” plan, and more await you. Your kids can graduate from “Readiness U” – and the family is provided communication ideas on the “Communicate” page – so, get talking!:
Ready.gov is also essential reading for adults – the most important form on this website is the Family Emergency Plan. Print and complete this form, then exchange it with those who will be vital to you following an emergency:
http://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan
