Although the need to evacuate your home is rare, when it does happen, it’s quick and unpredictable. The residents of Merrimack Valley experienced this recently with the gas explosions. Hurricane Florence victims continue to deal with this crisis. Whether it be utility related or weather related, preparing for home evacuations is something that we should all give some thought to. Here are a few tips that might help.
Securing Valuables
If you need to leave your home quickly, are there certain valuables that you wouldn’t take with you but want to protect nonetheless? Perhaps it’s expensive jewelry, important documents, or family heirlooms. There are limited places in your home that might be safe from water or fire damage. Make a plan for what those items are and where to store them. For instance, many use the dishwasher to store items since it seals tight and can protect items from water damage.
Preparing Go-Bags
Rarely is there sufficient warning for you to quickly evacuate your home. This is why preparing for home evacuations ahead of time is critical. Consider creating a Go Bag that contains essentials such as:
- Important Documents (i.e. Identification, Emergency Contacts)
- Medication
- First-aid Kit
- Flashlight
- Lighter
- Basic Toiletries
- Multi-use Tools
- Water
- Non-perishable Foods/Snacks
- Warm Clothes
- Portable Phone Charger
- List of Things to Grab Before Leaving the House
Where to Go
Sometimes the toughest decision is where to go. Make arrangements with friends and family who live in other areas but within driving distance. You can agree to swap places if either of you is in need of shelter. Knowing this ahead of time can help in cases where phone lines or cell towers aren’t working. Also, it’s a good idea to know what routes are used for evacuations.
Helpful Habits for Preparing for Home Evacuations
Now for some habits that are helpful in preparing for home evacuations…
- Always keep some cash in your wallet.
- Memorize important phone numbers.
- Never let your vehicle gas tank run too low.
We hope that the above tips on preparing for home evacuations will help you in case of an emergency in your area!
