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National Preparedness Month: Be Prepared [SLIDESHOW]

Melissa — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 17:00:22 +0000

Don’t wait for a natural disaster or other catastrophe before you think about what your family would do in an emergency. September is National Preparedness Month, and it gives you the perfect opportunity to get ready for whatever Mother Nature may have in store. Whether it's a hurricane, a tornado, an earthquake, a wildfire or some other catastrophe, there are specific steps you can take to make sure you’re ready. [slideshow]

Survival Tips: How to Prepare for a Power Outage

Lisa Bedford, The Survival Mom — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 17:00:52 +0000

Hundreds of thousands of people are currently without power in the wake of Hurricane Isaac, which is pounding the Gulf Coast with wind and rain. But did you know that, on any given day in America, at least a half million people are without power? Clearly, a power outage in some form is inevitable. So it makes sense to plan for one now instead of scrambling for a flashlight when the lights go out. Consider these four categories when planning and preparing for a power outage emergency:

Sanitation

When the power goes out, some pretty important appliances stop working, and that includes your hot water heater. If the power is out for more than a few hours, you’ll need a way to heat water in order to sanitize dishes, eating utensils, and do laundry (along with purifying water, if necessary). Have at least two ways to heat water and cook food that don’t rely on electric power. A solar oven is a great choice on sunny days, and a fuel-efficient outdoor rocket stove, such as the Stove-Tec Rocket Stove, will get the job done in any type of weather.

Sustenance

Americans have likely lost billions of dollars’ worth of refrigerated and frozen food due to power failures over the past few decades. Once food has warmed to 40 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for two or more hours, it’s no longer safe to consume. But if you fill empty beverage bottles with water and freeze them, you can prolong the cold temperatures in your fridge and freezer. When the power goes out, the bottles will help keep food cool longer; keep several in the freezer, and place several more in the fridge. A thermometer will let you know whether or not the food is in the safe-to-eat zone. You should also store at least a week’s worth of food that doesn’t require refrigeration and is very simple to prepare. Jerky, dried and canned fruit, nuts, granola bars, peanut butter, fruit/applesauce cups, V-8 juice, and tuna packs all pack a nutritious punch without requiring any cooking. You’ll find a comprehensive list of handy no-cook foods here. For food that needs to be cooked, fire up the grill or a stove alternative. Be sure to store enough fuel and/or wood, if necessary.

Survival

This category covers anything and everything that will insure your basic survival in the event of an extended power outage. It will take some time to assemble everything you need, so ask yourself the following: How will you stay cool in the summer without air conditioning? (battery-powered fans are one option) How will you stay warm in the winter without power? Blankets and even bubble wrap can be used to insulate windows. You should also have a plan for living in just one or two rooms during a long-term outage; this will minimize the area that has to be heated. How will you see in the dark? You’ll need several light sources, including flashlights, headlamps, and lanterns. Store extra batteries for anything that is battery-powered. How will you stay in touch with people and get necessary information? Invest in a good quality emergency radio that is battery powered. If it comes with a solar charger, that’s even better. Does a generator make sense in your circumstances? Or could it make you a target for thieves? Other helpful items can be found on this survival basics checklist.

Sanity

When the power goes out, it can really be a test to keep your wits about you because suddenly there is no TV, video games, or computer. Have a supply of board games, jigsaw puzzles, a deck of cards or two, and a few books that haven’t been read yet. A battery-powered dock for your iPod will bring hours of entertainment to the music lovers in your family. Have young kids? Stock up on a few sets of earplugs! Power outages can take us by surprise, and they can be scary to both children and adults alike. Make preparations to keep your family protected in an emergency today to insure peace and readiness tomorrow! Are you prepared for the next big storm? Sign up for Allstate’s weather alerts to stay in-the-know. Celebrate National Preparedness Month throughout September with Lisa Bedford, The Survival Mom! New resources, webinars, contests, and giveaways will give you new ideas and motivation to ‘get ready for anything!’ You might also like:

Slideshow: How to Prepare for a Hurricane

Melissa — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 11:00:16 +0000

Most people living in hurricane-prone areas know the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30 each year. Every year, you hear it: "Prepare early. Buy your hurricane supplies now." With a six-month risk window every year and only a rare storm actually coming ashore in the U.S., it’s easy to get complacent – but don’t. We’re lucky that meteorologists can sometimes predict a hurricane days before it strikes, but that doesn’t mean you should wait until the last minute to get ready. Check out the following slideshow for information on what you can do now to get prepared. [slideshow]

Hurricane Season Approaches: 4 Ways to Waterproof Your Stuff

Debbie Hanson, First Alert — Thu, 03 May 2012 13:04:30 +0000

Taking advantage of the calm before a storm to prepare can help keep you afloat when severe weather strikes. So, with May 19th kicking off Hurricane Preparedness Week, this might be the time to think about enhancing the basics of your emergency kit (water, food, prescriptions, radio, flashlights, batteries, etc.) with waterproof supplies that can help keep your home and valuables safe and dry, and your family a bit more calm during a big storm. Here are a few of my top picks: Water alarm: Place a battery-operated water alarm anywhere a potential leak or flooding may occur—like near a sump pump, water heater or basement window well—for an alert even when the power fails. Waterproof safe: Keep important documents (mortgage papers, birth certificates, passports, etc.) protected inside a waterproof safe. If your home is damaged from flooding, these documents will be essential in the rebuild. Waterproof cellphone case: Stay connected when it matters most with a waterproof smartphone case that provides full access to all device functions. Space bags: You probably know them for their “space-saving” properties, but these airtight, watertight bags can protect your belongings even when they’re submerged in water. Preparedness is key when it comes to any emergencies – whether hurricane, fire, flood or earthquake. For additional items that should be included in your basic emergency kit, The National Hurricane Center’s checklist is a great place to start.

Debbie Hanson is director of external affairs for First Alert, a trusted brand in home safety products.

Buyer Beware: Your Used Car May Have Been in a Hurricane

Brendan — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 23:51:17 +0000

Hurricane Irene is no longer headline news, but that doesn’t mean she’s not still cutting a path of destruction throughout the United States. Those who think that the danger is gone once the flood waters have receded might be in for something of a rude awakening – especially the thousands who might be buying flood damaged cars without even knowing it. It’s something that happens after every major hurricane. The car market is suddenly “flooded” with used cars priced so low that they may raise your eyebrows. Although a price that’s too good to be true isn’t always a dead giveaway that you’re dealing with someone who’s selling damaged cars, it can certainly be taken as a warning sign that the vehicle you’re eyeing might have seen a troubled past. Because buying flood damaged cars can cost you a fortune in repairs and because they can actually be dangerous on the road, it’s critical that you know what to look for to ensure you’re not buying into one.

Be wary of buying cars from private sellers without getting a full inspection.
Always have a qualified mechanic perform an inspection, regardless of who you’re buying a used car from.
If you decide to deal only with car dealerships, ensure the one you’re patronizing hasn’t been in the news lately and hasn’t seen the inside of too many courtrooms. This may require you to do some homework, but it’ll be worth the effort to rule out any seedy dealerships.
Look for mildew, water stains and sand under the floor mats and carpeting.
Evidence of mud or dirt in the spare tire stowage is often another sign that a car’s been underwater.
Lift the hood and look for rust around electrical connections and general oxidation.
Rusty screws will also tip you off to a vehicle that’s been exposed to flood water.
Use VINCheck, a free service from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, which will tell you if a car’s been damaged in a flood, stolen, or declared as salvage. The NMVTIS (National Motor Vehicle Title Information System) is also another great resource to check a vehicle’s history before putting down your hard earned money.

It’s perfectly legal for someone to sell a car that’s been previously damaged in a flood. What’s not legal is selling damaged cars without disclosing their full history to a buyer first. If you own a flood damaged car and sell it to someone without being totally up front about it, this omission could get you into serious hot water. If you want to avoid being suckered into buying a flood damaged car, never let a price that’s too good to pass up prevent you from doing your due diligence.

Safe Room: The Ultimate Secure Shelter [INFOGRAPHIC]

Brendan — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:03:37 +0000

Safety is a significant issue for every homeowner and eliminating unsafe situations inside the home should be a top priority. Proper installation and usage of electrical and gas lines, carbon dioxide and fire alarms, and window and door locks are all important for day-to-day home safety. But what about extreme conditions? Tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards and even home invasion are all examples of severe situations in which families may benefit from a safe room. What is a safe room? Simply put, a safe room is a secure, reinforced, well-stocked room where individuals can go to avoid the risks and potential dangers that may arise in other parts of a home. But how do you create a safe room in your house? Our infographic provides some ideas: [infographic]

Uncovering the ‘Con’ in Contractor

Brendan — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 18:34:01 +0000

Eye on Fraud

Severe weather seems to be the running theme of 2011 as much of the country has had to battle extremes in temperature, wind, precipitation and super-storms like hurricanes and tornadoes. As a result, many homeowners have been filing damage claims and hiring contractors. But not all claims are equal and not all contractors are trustworthy. Serving as a would-be crime-stopping team protecting the insured from being scammed, Allstate’s Special Investigative Unit looks into questionable claims and fights fraud. While the wild weather is expected to continue as we enter the peak of hurricane season, but much of the country is more wary about strong, windy hail storms. The SIU investigators have seen their share of hail damage scams, but one case in particular is worth recounting:

Case #26743

Note: The names have been changed to protect the innocent. Last year a Texas homeowner submitted a claim for hail damage to their roof, called their agent and hired a licensed contractor to come out and assess the damage. The Contractor, Mr. Shady, came back with a very large estimate for extensive repairs. While it was confirmed that there was a hail storm in the area, the agent notified Investigator Nick Peerless because there were no other claims submitted in the nearby surrounding area. With that in mind, Investigator Peerless went to work, and his findings were intriguing. First, he surveilled the other houses on that street, and none had obvious hail damage. Next, Peerless checked the house in question for collateral damage, including dents in metal accessories like a/c compressors, vents, gutters and downspouts—indicating density, size and direction of the hail storm. Finally, he inspected patterns and details of the actual damage, looking for particular signs like bruising of shingles, compressed asphalt granules on the shingles (not crushed), and the location of the hail impacts. In this case, Contractor Shady was to blame. When he examined the roof, there was little to no damage requiring repair, so he inflicted his own in order to increase repair costs and scam money from the insurance company. Investigator Peerless was not fooled, and with his highly trained eye found the dents and marks to be consistent with those made by a tool, likely a hammer. The size and depth of the impressions were too consistent; tool marks were obvious on the metal parts of the roof, and the dead giveaway: The insured roof was damaged, but the uninsured satellite dish didn’t have a mark on it. In the end, the shrewd Investigator Peerless foiled the plot of Contractor Shady and protected the homeowner from being scammed. “Does a reckless hammer cause more bruises to the contractor or the roof?”

Zoe is a contributing blogger and member of Allstate Insurance Company's Special Investigative Unit.

Keys to Weathering a Storm: Preparedness and Readiness

Debbie Hanson, First Alert — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 18:15:50 +0000

The nation saw first hand the devastating effects of natural disasters such as heat waves, tornadoes and hurricanes, which affected many parts of the U.S. this year. These tragic disasters always remind me and my family that preparedness and readiness are essential to both survival and recovery.

While September marks National Preparedness Month, being prepared should be a part of your life year-round. With the slogan “This September: A Time to Remember. A Time to Prepare,” we join the sponsors of National Preparedness Month, FEMA’s Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps, in encouraging you to educate yourself on how to be prepared for natural disasters. You and your family can face severe weather without fear by developing a plan and readying your home in advance. One of the best tips for preparation is to build an emergency kit. First and foremost, the kit should include a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm – and here’s why:

Silent Killer

When the power goes out during or after a storm, many people turn to generators to provide electricity for their homes. What many don’t know is that if not used properly, generators can be a source of carbon monoxide, which can cause even more devastation after the initial disaster. CO is an invisible, odorless gas, making it impossible to detect with human senses. The only way to monitor for carbon monoxide in your home is by installing the proper equipment. Carbon monoxide poisonings result in more than 450 deaths and 20,000 emergency room visits every year. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, about one-third of generator-related CO deaths are associated with power outages. Most of these power outages occur as a result of hurricanes and tropical storms.

Be Alarmed

If using a generator, be sure to follow these generator safety tips to prevent CO poisoning:

Never run a generator inside your home, basement or garage. The generator could emit CO that can linger inside the home even after the generator has been turned off.
Place the generator at least 15 feet away from the house.
Install CO alarms on every floor of the home, including the basement, and in every sleeping area.
Purchase a portable CO alarm for your emergency kit that is portable and battery operated in case the electricity is out, or you’re taking shelter in an area where there are no CO alarms.

Know the symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure—nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness and confusion are all signs of CO poisoning. If you experience any of these symptoms, or if your CO alarm sounds, get to a well-ventilated area and contact emergency services immediately. In addition to carbon monoxide alarms, other important items to include in your emergency kit include water, flashlights, extra clothing, a transistor radio, batteries and a fire extinguisher. Once you have your kit prepared, take the next step in preparation by developing a plan for the whole family to use in the case of an emergency. Taking the time to make sure you and your family are prepared will help you be ready for almost any natural disaster. Stay safe! Debbie Hanson is the Director of External Affairs for First Alert, a trusted brand in home safety products.

Preparing for Disaster Before it Strikes

Brendan — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 19:33:14 +0000

Emergency Preparedness Beyond Bottled Water and Batteries

September is National Preparedness Month, a dedicated time to get your home organized for disaster preparation. Whether you prepare for a hurricane or an earthquake or a flash flood depends on the likelihood of these disasters occurring in your area, but the basics of natural disaster preparedness are the same, requiring these four elements to have a fully organized home emergency plan.

Personal Information

What information would be important to have if your home suddenly was destroyed by a flood, earthquake, or tornado? Many people think more about having a stockpile of peanut butter than they do about having their personal identification and essential documents accessible. My favorite resource for organizing your important documents is the Vital Records PortaVault, which you can zip up and literally grab and go with its carrying strap. You can also manage your important documents securely online with services like Delphi Vital Information Manager. Our computer hard drives also contain crucial information, including most of our family photos nowadays, so make sure they are backed up remotely and securely in case they are destroyed. Services like Carbonite and Mozy are excellent and reliable.

Home Inventory

Preparing for disaster includes documenting the contents of your home in the event they need replacement. Creating a home inventory also helps to make sure your insurance coverage is adequate for what you actually own. You might be surprised at the value of your home’s contents! Allstate’s free Digital Locker app for the iPhone makes it easy to take photos and make notations on every item and keep them securely with you. You can also use free web-based services like Know Your Stuff®.

Personal Safety

Disaster preparedness also includes having a family emergency plan. How will you reach each other? Where will you meet? Who are others close to your family who can be a helpful part of your family disaster plan? What are evacuation routes near your home? What are your fire escape and tornado shelter plans? Ready.gov has a step-by-step emergency planner you can complete online to walk you through creating your disaster plans, as well as printable forms you can fill out. And don’t forget your pets! Ready.gov has some suggestions to prepare for your pets’ comfort and safety as well.

Home Emergency Kits

We all know we need bottled water and batteries, but have you thought about having a corded telephone in case the power goes out, or an extra pair of prescription glasses? FEMA has a full checklist, and Ready.gov has a checklist as well. Make a note on your calendar to review your supplies once a year after you’ve assembled them and replace expired items. Preparing for a disaster may not be the first fun thing on your to-do list, but it’s the ultimate way of being fully organized, and it’s essential planning for survival and restoration. Share your experiences and emergency preparedness tips in the comments! Allstate Insurance Company does not own and is not affiliated with Vital Records PortaVault, Delphi Vital Information Manager, Carbonite, Mozy, Know Your Stuff®, Ready.gov or FEMA. Allstate makes no warranties or representations and is not liable for any goods or services provided by these organizations.

Lorie Marrero is a guest blogger from The Clutter Diet. In exchange for sharing this content, the Allstate Community has compensated her via cash payment.

How To Prepare for Hurricane Season

goodhandsgiveback — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 00:31:52 +0000

As hurricane season is upon us, its best to make sure that you have everything in order so that youre prepared for anything that happens. Follow these quick tips to make sure youre ready for anything:

1) Review Your Insurance Policies: Is your coverage up to date? Do you have coverage for additional living expenses? What about comprehensive car coverage? Asking yourself the right questions now can help you avoid the unexpected later. For details on what questions should be on your checklist, read: Hurricane Preparedness Checklist - Step 1 - Review Your Insurance Policies 2) Do a Home Inventory: There are several different ways to take inventory of the property that you own- videotaping, taking pictures, or using various types of inventory software online. Taking an inventory now can ensure that you don’t forget anything, and will make filing a claim much easier. For tips on how to properly take inventory of your property, check out: Hurricane Preparedness Checklist - Step 2 - Do a Home Inventory 3) Protect Your Property: Whether it be installing head and foot bolts on doors for extra protection or ensuring that your windows are properly reinforced, protecting your property before a hurricane could save you from the hassle of costly repairs afterward. For more recommendations on protecting your property, read: Hurricane Preparedness Checklist - Step 3 – Protect Your Property 4) Stock Emergency Supplies: Sure, you might have perishable foods and a first aid kit, but what about pillows and blankets? Pre-moistened towlettes? Books or playing cards? Make sure you stock up on all the supplies you’ll need. For details, read: Hurricane Preparedness Checklist - Step 4 - Stock Emergency Supplies 5) Plan Your Evacuation: Getting out of your home can be the most hectic part of a hurricane. You’ll need to ensure that you know the best evacuation routes, have all your important documents, and have emergency contacts ready. For details on what else you’ll need in evacuating your home, read: Hurricane Preparedness Checklist - Step 5 - Plan Your Evacuation

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/au_tiger01/110282480/ | CC BY 2.0

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SLIDESHOW: How to Prepare for a Hurricane Hurricane Season: 4 Ways to Waterproof Your Stuff