Here at Restoration Now! Omaha, our team of water and fire damage restoration specialists know that having a plan to deal with disaster before it strikes is just as important as knowing who to call to clean up afterward. This is especially true in Nebraska, where anyone who’s lived here for a while can say that tornadoes are a real concern. When a disaster as destructive and unpredictable as a tornado rears its ugly head, it’s important to have a plan in place that your family can follow to stay safe. Here are some steps that Restoration Now! Omaha has compiled to begin putting together your own disaster plan!
Make sure everyone in your family is on the same page.
Don’t simply leave the planning up to the head of the household. Getting everybody involved in the planning process definitely has its advantages—by brainstorming together, you’re likely to come up with more great ideas and notice gaps in the plan that should be addressed.
Plan for every kind of disaster.
Living in Nebraska, you may not have to plan for many earthquakes, but it’s a good idea to cover your other bases. For example, in addition to tornadoes, we’re also susceptible to floods! Each of these natural disasters requires a different action plan. In the case of a tornado, you’ll need to stay in your home, while a flood may require you to evacuate.
If you need to stay in your home, pick the best rooms to provide shelter from the storm (usually a basement or other interior room without windows), and if you have to leave, find the best routes and systems to evacuate (as well as where you’ll go once you’re outside). Figure out where the closest medical facilities are and what you’ll do if anyone has injuries that can’t immediately be cared for professionally.
Plan for every circumstance.
You may not be at home when disaster strikes; in fact, every member of your family could be somewhere completely different in an emergency. Whether your family is at work, school, the grocery store or the gym, be sure to plan ahead for what you’ll do when and if you’re separated. Know each location’s disaster plans so you can adapt your family’s plan at a moment’s notice, and make a plan to keep communication lines open with family members in case you’re separated when the storm comes.
Note: If your family relies on cell phones to communicate, as many do, these networks may be overloaded and unable to place or receive calls during an emergency. In many cases, though, text messages will go through when a call won’t, so remember to try texting to stay connected!
Write down your family’s disaster plan.
It’s not enough to discuss your plan with your family—having the plan in writing, as an actual document that your family can refer to, helps to solidify the plan and allows everyone to see what they’re supposed to do in a given situation. In addition to the disaster plan document, make sure to keep a list of needed emergency supplies and keep them stocked.
Contact Restoration Now! Omaha Today at (402) 502-7277!
Being prepared for any disaster situation is vitally important to keep your family safe, and we at Restoration Now! Omaha hope that these tips get you on your way to creating a plan that gives you peace of mind. After the storm, though, you may find that your home has been damaged and need a partner to help restore it to its original state. That’s where Restoration Now! Omaha comes in—our team of water, fire, and mold damage restoration professionals will work quickly for you to get things back to normal. We offer 24/7 emergency restoration service, so give us a call any time at (402) 502-7277!