Imagine an emergency situation occurring that would make it necessary for homeowners to leave their homes immediately for an indefinite amount of time. Could the evacuees be certain that they would gather materials quickly enough without panicking? Few can flawlessly keep their heads about them in the middle of a crisis.
One way to fight losing everything in such a crisis is to plan for it before it ever happens. Think about the execution of a disaster / evacuation plan sooner than later. Consider the things that need to be grabbed in an emergency. Evacuees in an emergency situation will appreciate having things in order.
Contacts
Note the phone numbers, addresses, and email addresses for family, friends, schools, medical and financial advisors, utilities, and service providers -- even the cleaners and gardeners. If a phone book is used in the household, keep it up-to-date and be sure to take it in the case of an evacuation.
Designate an out-of-town contact for everyone to call. For example, tell everyone, “If you can’t get hold of me, call David.” This should be done before any emergency actually strikes.
Identification Documents
Assemble passports, a current picture of each family member, and birth and marriage certificates.
Emergency Resources
Include cash as well as prepaid phone and charge cards.
Medical
Pull together health insurance policy information; claim forms; copies of insurance cards; a list of hospitals, doctors, pharmacies, and current prescriptions; and medical histories.
Household
Document all payment obligations (mortgage, credit cards, utilities, and auto, student, and any other loans), as well as the due dates, minimum required payments, and other payment info. Online banking and bill payment is a real help in these situations.
Financial
Gather the information for credit cards, bank, brokerage, mortgage, and savings accounts. Jot down all of the account numbers, the branch locations, the websites, the phone numbers, and the passwords (kept secure). Include the location, spare key and content list for your safe-deposit box, and make sure a loved one or trusted advisor has been granted access.
Insurance / Recovery information
Include homeowners', auto, life, and disability policies and cards; blank claim forms and contact information; and a list of local adjusters.
Legal
Make sure you've included your living will, health-care proxy or medical directive, will, durable power of attorney, divorce decree papers, and the deed to the house.
Activity
If relocation is a possibility, take some books and games for the family. Being away from home doesn’t have to mean sitting and staring at a wall. If children are involved in the evacuation, this is all the more important; activities keep their spirits high.
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