For: October 2003 Issue
To:
By: Linda K. Bowman, Ext. Agt. IV - Family & Consumer Sciences
Telephone:
850/623-3868 or 939-1259, ext. 1360
DISASTER is a
part of life. As
Tip 1: Don't Panic!
Stay in control.
Remember you
have survived other disasters and you probably will also survive this one. As calmly as possible assess the situation
and take appropriate action.
Tip 2: Practice prudent consumer behavior.
Use good
judgment in making decisions. Before
buying items such as a gas mask, a year's supply of food,
or a gun in response to a specific risk or emergency ask yourself, "Just
when, where and how will I use this purchase?
How will it help me? And how will I store it?"
Tip 3: Avoid con artists and gougers.
Recently it
was reported that gasoline tripled in price in one day. During hurricanes or tornadoes the price of
items from ice to generators may more than triple. Watch out for these opportunists and choose
not to be a victim.
Tip 4: Be a good citizen.
Report con artists, gougers and anyone who
behaves in a suspect manner to the appropriate authority, such as: local
police, Attorney General's office or Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services.
Tip 5: Manage credit wisely.
Keep credit
card and debt balances below the maximum.
Credit is one way many Floridians manage emergencies. By keeping the limit below the maximum, you
will have a temporary emergency fund available in the short term.
Tip 6: Know where your Important Papers are.
A well-ordered
home filing system is important in responding to disasters. An updated household inventory is important
in a speedy adjustment to property loss.
The whereabouts of insurance policies will save time
and stress in dealing with any type of covered loss resulting from a disaster.
It is also important to locate contracts, bank and investment information.
Tip 7: Keep
gasoline in your car.
. A good rule is to keep at least 1/4 of a tank
of gasoline at all times. In the event of a hurricane, fill up your car several
days before hurricane hits.
Tip 8: Review
and update insurance policies.
It is a good
practice to review your insurance policies on a regular basis. If your family situation has changed, review
your coverage for life, health, and disability insurance. Do you need to change beneficiaries? Check property insurance to ensure that your
property is adequately covered.
Tip 9: Review
and update your will and other property transfer documents.
Data show that
only one out of four have a personal will.
Remember if you don't make your wishes known about the disposition of
your property, through properly executed transfer documents, the state has
specified what will happen to your property.
Tip 10: Review
your living will.
If you do not
have one you may want to consider writing one.
Living wills must conform precisely to laws in the state of the signer's
residence. Hospitals routinely ask
patients if they have a living will or if they want to write one.
Tip 11: Implement a standing plan.
Develop and
use a "standing plan" for your actions. A standing plan is one that you and your
family have developed in the event of disasters. The plan should include:
If you have a
question, call
Extension Service programs are open to all people
without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap or national origin. The use of trade names in this article is
solely for the purpose of providing specific information. It is not a guarantee, warranty, or
endorsement of the product name(s) and does not signify that they are approved
to the exclusion of others.