Five simple steps to prepare for an emergency | PEMCO

September is National Preparedness Month, which makes it a great time to evaluate our level of readiness for a natural disaster like an earthquake, severe storm, or flood. We certainly can't control everything Mother Nature sends our way, but we can take practical steps to safeguard ourselves, our loved ones, and our homes.

Thanks to the great resources through organizatons like ready.gov, here are some simple steps you can take at home to prepare for extreme weather events or emergencies you might face in the Pacific Northwest.

 These are also five smart places to start:  

1. Download the FEMA app for real-time weather alerts and help in locating shelters during an emergency. 

2. Assemble an emergency kit for your home and car. Important things to remember are items like ready-to-eat food, water (one gallon per person, per day), flashlights and batteries, and essential medicine.

3. Locate and safeguard important documents like passports and birth certificates. Make sure important files are backed up or stored to the cloud.

4. Learn life-saving skills like CPR and how to use a fire extinguisher. (Remember, everyone in your home who is physically able should know how to use a fire extinguisher.)

5. Make kids part of the planning. Your family might not all be together when a disaster strikes, so it's important that everyone is aware of the plans you have in place, including communication methods and meetup points. We believe that involving all members of your family in your emergency planning empowers them to be aware and responsive.

Ready.gov recommends that families have a plan for where to shelter, as well as where to evacuate (depending on the type of emergency and where they live). For making a more detailed plan with your family and loved ones, visit: Make A Plan | Ready.gov

PEMCO has been serving the Northwest - and only the Northwest - for over 75 years. We stand with you as we tacke the challenges we share as neighbors in Washington and Oregon.

You're welcome to call your local PEMCO agent or 1-800-GO-PEMCO (1-800-467-3626) any time for a peace-of-mind insurance checkup. You're entitled to a free policy review to make sure your coverages fit your needs, lifestyle, and risk tolerance.

If you haven't yet set up your pemco.com account, do it now. In an emergency, you'll be able to manage your insurance policies from your smartphone.