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Christina Fisher

It's Way Past Time To Be Prepared
September 2, 2008

Even though common sense tells us to do something now and be proactive, while the waters are calm, we still often tend to put things off – until necessity arises and makes the situation critical. For example, out of my “hard-learned lessons in life file” – always keep an extra roll of toilet paper within arm’s reach of the potty, especially if you’re single and your daughter is often away at work or at a friend’s house. If I had just been a little more proactive and been prepared, it would have saved a lot of, um…frustration. Perhaps a little too much information, but a lesson I only had to be taught one time. :-)

Unfortunately, such situations aren’t always so mundane. Now that we’re in the midst of hurricane season and winter storms aren’t too far off, here is a list of suggested items to have on hand and ready to go in case of an emergency. It’s courtesy of the Restoration Industry Association.

• Health & homeowners insurance policies, wills, passports
• Family photos & irreplaceable mementos, disposable camera, digital camera, video camera
• Digital inventory CD of house and printout of contents
• Paper & pen, address book, emergency phone numbers (family, hospital, physicians)
• Wallet, checkbook, credit cards and cash
• Canned goods, can opener, peanut butter, protein bars, bouillon cubes, M.R.E.s, baby food
• Bottled water (1/2 gallon per person), water purification tablets
• Sharp knife, duct tape, electrical tape, small shovel, rope, work gloves, fix-a-flat for tires, tarps, dust masks, small toolbox, all-purpose tool
• Water proof matches, butane lighter, small fire extinguisher
• Transistor radio, batteries
• Candles, flashlights       
• Pet food and supplies
• Toiletries – toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, feminine products, diapers, baby wipes, paper towels, trash bags
• First aid kit, hydrogen peroxide, antibiotic ointment, vitamins, general remedies (cold, flu, allergies, chap stick, antacids), glasses
• Clothing – long pants/shirts/gym clothes for sleeping/rain poncho, walking/working shoes, extra underwear and socks, jackets/sweaters
• Sleeping bags, cots, air mattresses, folding chairs
• Laptop computer, cell phone, chargers & car chargers
• Medication & prescriptions
• Extra batteries
• Maps
• Irreplaceable jewelry
• Children’s games, deck of cards

In addition, I would have portable records for your business ready to go. Scan important documents to a disk and keep it updated. Keep the originals – of both your personal and business files – in a fire-proof/water-proof file cabinet or safe. Another option -- designate a certain area of a file cabinet or possibly a portable file box where you keep critical documents. That way you don’t have to search; you can just grab and go. Have at least two phone numbers for all employees, and consider designating a person as a point of contact so everyone can check in to verify his safety, especially if you have employees out in the field or on a call when a storm hits. Consider buying a solar powered battery charger for your cell phone. So many of us rely on them as a primary means of communicating, but if the power is out it will be more difficult to recharge your phone.

      Let’s hope you never have to resort to using these measures, but isn’t it best to be prepared? Now, I have to go get ready – just in case.

Posted by Christina Fisher on September 2, 2008 | Comments (0)