Wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados. In the event of a natural disaster or mandatory evacuation, it is hard to know what to take with you and how you can best prepare. While we hope you will never need to utilize this checklist of important documents, items, and information you should need during a natural disaster – it is better to be safe than sorry.
In the event of a fire or hurricane, below is a list of the important financial documents that you should take with you (if they are not already stored in a fireproof safe or in a secure online portal):
- Estate Plan Documents
- Birth, Death, Marriage, and Divorce certificates
- Incorporation Documents
- Bank records
If the documents listed are all scanned and/or accessible electronically, be sure to pack your computers (with chargers), hard drives and USB drives that contain this information.
Other important items:
- Family photos and albums
- Small precious family heirlooms or jewelry
- Important electronic devices
- Paintings and other valuable artwork
If you are not currently being evacuated, here are additional tips to get prepared in case of an emergency:
- Scan and upload your important documents (including those listed above) to your online secure document vault with Beacon Pointe
- Have at least 1/2 tank of fuel in your vehicle at all times
- Pack a flashlight, portable charging dock for your cellular device
- Pack some snacks, water bottles and pillows and light blankets
- Round up your pets; get them secured in pet carriers and ready to go into the car with no way of escape; have leashes, food bowls, food, litter boxes, litter, and other pet needs prepared as needed.
- Pre-pack a suitcase(s) filled with old but useable clothing, socks, underwear, jackets, extra shoes, etc. Include a bag of his/her toiletry items, including extra regular medications to last a few days.
- Close all windows, close all interior doors, remove curtains from area of windows
- Turn off propane gas at tank; remove BBQ propane tank, and store somewhere away from your house
If you do not find yourself in the midst of a natural disaster but live in an area in which they are frequent, we have several tips to keep you prepared in case of an emergency.
Wildfire Preparedness Tips
With continued droughts and high temperatures across the country, wildfire season has been getting increasingly intense. Often, people assume they will have plenty of time to prepare and safely evacuate from their home in the event of a wildfire in their area. However, wildfires move in an unpredictable way and often quickly – leading to more devastating destruction and lives lost than you would think. The biggest tip: prepare and create your evacuation kit today. Everyone in your household should have a kit accessible to them (backpacks are an excellent option for this) and you should plan on being away from home for an extended period of time. Below are a list of items you should consider including in your emergency supply kit:
- Face masks or coverings
- Change of clothes
- Extra eyeglasses or contact lenses.
- An extra set of car keys, credit cards, cash or traveler’s checks
- First Aid Kit
- Battery-powered radio and extra batteries
- Flashlight
- Up to three-days’ worth of non-perishable food and 3 gallons of water per person
- Any pet supplies
Hurricane Preparedness Tips
Hurricane season can be incredibly destructive and dangerous. They can threaten lives and damage properties. Being prepared ahead of time can minimize the impact of hurricanes on your family and your home. Plan an evacuation route well in advance of hurricane season starting. Though you will get instructions from local government officials, having a plan in place can help. Take inventory of your personal property and review your insurance policies to make sure you are covered in the event of property damage. Take steps to protect your home, installing storm shutters, cutting weak branches and trees, seal outside wall openings, etc. In addition to the emergency supplies we mentioned about in preparation for wildfires, here are other things you should have in your hurricane supply kit:
- A portable NOAA weather radio
- A wrench and other basic tools
- Manual can opener
- Fire extinguisher
- Duct tape/plastic sheeting
- Hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes
- Gasoline for your car and generator (stored in proper containers)
For a full checklist of what to have in the event of a natural disaster or evacuation, please download our Beacon Pointe evacuation checklist to make sure you have what you need. We hope this information is of value to you and can help you stay safe should an emergency situation arise and remember to follow local and national law enforcement guidelines.
Important Disclosure: This content is for informational purposes only. Opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice. Beacon Pointe has exercised all reasonable professional care in preparing this information. Some information may have been obtained from third-party sources we believe to be reliable; however, Beacon Pointe has not independently verified, or attested to, the accuracy or authenticity of the information. Nothing contained herein should be construed or relied upon as investment, legal or tax advice. Only private legal counsel may recommend the application of this general information to any particular situation or prepare an instrument chosen to implement the design discussed herein. An investor should consult with their financial professional before making any investment decisions.
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