Q. September is National Preparedness Month. What do consumers need to know about that event?
A. "Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How."
That is the theme of this year's National Preparedness Month, held annually every September since 2004. National Preparedness Month provides an opportunity to remind everyone to prepare themselves and their families now, and throughout the year.
National Preparedness Month is sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency within the Department of Homeland Security, and its part of a governmental effort to strengthen the United States' preparedness capabilities, whether a terrorist attack strikes, or a natural disaster hits.
Jim Winsett of the BBB. Better Business Bureau is proud to partner with FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security (Ready.gov) to offer tips on how to fully prepare for a disaster.
Make and Practice Your Plan
» Disasters don't plan ahead, but you can. Start by making an emergency plan with everyone in the home.
» Put together a plan by discussing four different questions with your family, friends or household to begin your emergency plan. Discuss how you will receive emergency alerts and warnings, what your shelter plan is, your evacuation route, and the household communication plan.
» It's best to practice your escape plan with your family, including animals, at least twice a year so you are fully prepared when disaster strikes.
» Fill out an emergency plan in detail, and share with everyone in your family, or household.
Learn Life Saving Skills
» Learning basic home maintenance skills can protect your home and your family.
» Learn how to turn off utilities like natural gas and electricity, and how to test and replace smoke alarms. It's recommended to test smoke alarms every month, and to replace them every 10 years.
» You should also know the ways to keep your home safe from cooking, heating and electrical fires.
Check Your Insurance Coverage
Did you know according to FEMA, more than half of all homeowners in the United States do not carry adequate homeowners insurance to replace their home and its contents should a catastrophic loss occur?
Insurance is your first line of defense, which is why you should check your insurance coverage, and review your policy.
Save for an Emergency
Did you know according to the Federal Reserve over 40 percent of Americans don't have $400 in savings? It's important to be financially prepared for any type of disaster. Disasters can be very stressful, but having access to personal, financial, medical and other records is crucial to a quick recovery.
Consider saving money and storing it in an emergency savings account, as well as leaving a small amount of cash at home in a safe place. If a disaster strikes, ATM's and credit card machines may stop working, leaving cash as the only option.
You should also gather all financial and critical personal, household and medical information and store it in a safe, yet easily accessible place.
It's important to also obtain property, health and life insurance, and review your existing policies for the amount and extent of coverage to ensure that what you have in place is enough for you and your family.
No matter how much you prepare, you might have some damage to deal with after a natural disaster. "Storm chasers" are contractors who seek to take advantage of disasters and get consumers to make quick and potentially uninformed decisions.
Natural disasters like wild fires, storms, tornadoes and hurricanes, often bring out the best in people, as strangers reach out to help others in need. Unfortunately, the aftermath of a crisis also brings out contractors taking advantage of those who have already been victimized. Better Business Bureau is warning homeowners affected by natural disasters to beware of "storm chasers" and out-of-town contractors soliciting businesses. Although not all storm chasers are scammers, they may lack the proper licensing for your area, offer quick fixes, or make big promises they can't deliver.
There are some things you should do when hiring any contractor (such as getting three estimates, getting everything in writing, and paying with a credit card). BBB also has these specific tips for victims of natural disasters:
» Contact your insurance company. Ask about your policy coverage and specific filing requirements. Save all receipts, including those for food, temporary lodging, or other expenses that may be covered under your policy. Your insurance company may also have recommended contractors.
» Do your research. Find businesses you can trust on BBB.org. We have BBB Business Profiles on more than a million home contractors. Check your state or provincial government agency responsible for registering and/or licensing contractors. Get references from friends and relatives.
» Resist high-pressure sales. Some storm chasers use tactics such as the "good deal" you'll get only if you hire the contractor on the spot. Be pro-active in selecting a contractor and not re-active to sales calls on the phone or door-to-door pitches. Disaster victims should never feel forced to make a hasty decision or to choose an unknown contractor.
Be especially careful of door-to-door contractors. Many municipalities require a solicitation permit if sales people go door-to-door. Ask for identification. Check their vehicle for a business name, phone number, and license plates for your state or province.
» Be wary regarding places you can't see. While most contractors abide by the law, be careful allowing someone you do not know to inspect your roof and other areas of your house. An unethical contractor may actually create damage to get work. The same goes for attics, crawl spaces, ducts, and other places you cannot easily access or see for yourself.
BBB is also warning contractors to beware of storm chasers who offer to pay local construction companies substantial amounts of money to use the business's established name, reputation, and phone. They masquerade as a local business, collect the insurance money and then move on, leaving the real business to deal with unsatisfied customers due to bad workmanship, unfinished work, or unfulfilled warranties.
Jim Winsett is president of the Better Business Bureau in Chattanooga.