Springtime - floods can occur suddenly and devastatingly.

There are many things you can (and should) do to prepare for this eventuality. Below, we will help you learn how to document, insure and protect your property in the event of an unexpected flood or fire.

Also, consider these helpful articles: Planning for Emergencies,  Spring Storms are coming & Don’t forget to prepare your car

Protect Your Property Deeds, Passports, Birth Certificates, Cash, Photos and more. Holds Legal Size Documents.

You can use helpful, free checklists from Prepareathon to Document and Insure Your Property and Protect Your Critical Documents and Valuables. By taking pictures of your belongings, you create an inventory of the valuables in your home. The Insurance Information Institute offers a free tool on Know Your Stuff.org, which allows you to create a home inventory with your smartphone, tablet or computer.

The below tips from Prepareathon’s Document and Insure Your Property checklist recommend you document, insure, and protect your property by:
• Creating an inventory of your home or business. A detailed inventory of your property’s contents will help you prove the value of what you owned, which could speed your insurance claim processing, and will provide documentation for the tax deductions you can claim.
• Ensuring you have appropriate insurance. Not all insurance policies are the same. Coverage amounts, deductibles, and payment caps can vary significantly. Consult with your insurance professional to be sure your policy is right for you.
• Keeping vital records in a safe place. Store paper copies, or electronic copies on a flash or external hard drive in a waterproof and fireproof box, safe, or bank deposit box.
• Storing policy numbers and contact information nearby. Keep your policy numbers, your insurance professional/company phone number, and claim filing instructions in a secure, convenient location.

For more information, visit Prepareathon, KnowYourStuff.org or download the Know Your Stuff app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Evacuation & Fire Safety Equipment
Emergency Evacuation & Fire Supplies: FIRE! Nobody wants to hear this, but if you do; Are You Ready? Everyone knows you need Fire Extinguishers and Smoke/CO2 Alarms, but what about Fire Resistant Document Bags, Escape ladders for exiting a burning building during a fire or other catastrophe, fire blankets, burn kits and supplies, or even Fire and Evacuation Safety training materials? Fire is the most common disaster to strike... are you and your loved ones ready?
Fire Safety & Evacuation Supplies + Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms, escape hoods and More!

While house fires happen most often between Halloween and the New Year (due to heaters, candles, and decorative lights) and Wildfires are generally a Summer to early Autumn concern… either can happen at any time. Be sure that you and your family or co-workers know basic fire safety principles; the common causes of fires, the importance of good housekeeping, how to prevent office, home and wildfires… and how to use a fire extinguisher. Know your fire escape plans at home, work, and school. Conduct drills, and find out what your community’s evacuation routes are depending upon location and direction of a wildfire. Smoke is a major killer in fires. Have escape hoods or protective masks and stay low when escaping a fire. Whether for business or personal fire preparedness, protect important documents with fire bags, and do not delay in protecting your irreplaceable family photos and quintessentially important inventory (insurance) photos of property by backing up digital copies of all these far away from the originals… like in the cloud.

Read more: Wildfire • Fireworks Safety • Fire • Campfire Safety • Fire Safety & Extinguishers • The Fire Triangle • Types of Fire Extinguishers • Ring of Fire • Make a Fire Escape Plan • Drill

Are you ready for Wildfire?

Wildfires kill 30 people, destroy 2,800 homes and burn more than seven million acres on average, per year. Be prepared, aware and act early if a wildfire comes your way. Drier conditions can fuel wildfires. Be Ready, Be Firewise.

• ?  Fire
• ?  Campfire Safety
• ?  Fire Safety & Extinguishers
• ?  The Fire Triangle
• ?  Types of Fire Extinguishers
• ?  Ring of Fire
• ?  Make a Fire Escape Plan

The Independence Day holiday coming up fast - and with it the wonder, awe, and hazards of fireworks.  Leave all fireworks activity to the professionals. Do not use consumer fireworks.

Each July 4th, thousands of people, most often children and teens, are injured while using consumer fireworks.

Even sparklers are dangerously hot and burn hands! These seemingly harmless fireworks reach temperatures of between 1200° F/649°C to 2000° F/1093°C , and cause full thickness burns in seconds.

~ The risk of firework injuries is highest for children ages 5–14.

Also read:

• Fire
• Campfire Safety
• Fire Safety & Extinguishers
• How to Treat Thermal Burns
• The Fire Triangle
• Types of Fire Extinguishers
• General Burn First Aid Information
• Ring of Fire
• Make a Fire Escape Plan

In most cases, a fire should be your signal to quickly evacuate the building via the quickest and safest route.  If, however, a fire can be easily extinguished, it can significantly reduce the risk of injury and property damage.

• Types of Fire Extinguishers
• Fire Safety & Extinguishers
• The Fire Triangle

Be aware of fire extinguisher locations, and know how to use them. In the workplace, fire extinguishers are usually located near the stairwells.  Most extinguishers sold today are “ABC” class.  This means they are designed to extinguish:

A – Combustibles, paper, wood, trash,

B – Hydrocarbons, oils, greases, and

C – Electrical fires.

See our Fire Prevention & Safety Training Materials!

Examine the extinguisher prior to an emergency:

• Determine if it is an ABC class extinguisher,
• Check the pressure gauge,
• Check the safety pin and connector,
• Check the hose for cracks,
• Check to see the date of the last inspection or charging.

To operate an extinguisher:

P – Pull the Pin

A – Aim the Nozzle

S – Squeeze the Handle

S – Sweep Side to Side