Make sure important financial, insurance and legal documents are securely stored. Keep them in a safe deposit box at your financial institution or in another secure location away from your residence. You should also store a hard copy of important online documents. This helps ensure the documents will be available if a disaster destroys your home.

Inventory Possessions

Create a record of your possessions, including purchase prices, dates purchased, serial numbers and receipts. Use the Inventory Possessions Work Sheet as a guide. If you have to file a claim, this will ensure you do not overlook anything lost in a disaster. Consider photographing your items. Another option is to scan the information to a disk and store it appropriately.

Review Homeowners Insurance

You may need to supplement your existing homeowners insurance policy to ensure sufficient coverage if a disaster damages or destroys your home and possessions. The USAA Educational Foundation publication, Homeowners Insurance, offers more information.

Review Renters Insurance

Landlords usually carry insurance only on the building itself. Your possessions are your responsibility. Consider renters insurance if you do not currently have a policy. The USAA Educational Foundation publication, Renting A Home, offers more information.

Consider Flood Insurance

Homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damages. Depending on your location, your lender may require flood insurance, which is backed by the federal government and provided in cooperation with local communities and private insurance companies. Because 25 percent of flood loss occurs in low flood hazard areas, ask your homeowners insurance provider about purchasing flood insurance even if your lender does not require it.

Take Safety Precautions

During a disaster, normal household items can become hazardous. Take steps to lessen the damages and injuries they can inflict.

Inspect and maintain cooling and heating systems, water heaters, furnaces and fireplaces on a regular basis.
Modify or retrofit your home to prevent damage or injury from falling objects or moving furniture.
Elevate utilities such as water heaters, electric panels and furnaces to 2 to 3 feet above the base flood elevation. Install sewer backflow valves to keep sewage from entering your home.
Consider replacing hail-damaged roof coverings with stronger, more resistant coverings.
Prepare a basement, interior room or outdoor cellar where you and your family can evacuate if a disaster strikes.
Learn how and when to turn off electricity, water and natural gas service to your home.

Remove Hazards

In a disaster, everyday home items can cause injury and damage. Anything that can move, fall, break or cause a fire is a potential hazard.

Fasten shelves securely. Place large, heavy objects on lower shelves.
Brace overhead light fixtures.
Ensure paint, pesticides and other flammable containers are stored away from heat sources.
Secure or store outdoor items such as flower pots, patio furniture or portable basketball goals. Ask or help neighbors to do the same.

The USAA Educational Foundation publication, Making Your Home A Safer Place, offers more information.

Pack Emergency Kits

Gather items you and your family need to remain safe and self-sufficient for a minimum of 3 days. Store these items in easy-to-carry waterproof containers, duffle bags or backpacks. Every family member should know where emergency supplies are kept and how to use them.

Use the Emergency Kit Checklist to help you assemble your supply kit.

Next: Planning Ahead

Updated Thursday, April 24, 2008

HELPFUL FORMS & LISTS

Inventory Possessions Work Sheet

Emergency Kit Checklist

Family Emergency Information

Emergency Health Information