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How to create an efficient family emergency plan

How to create an efficient family emergency plan

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Planning for emergencies may seem like a daunting task. There are many variables that can be hard to prepare for. That’s why preparing for emergencies specific to your region is a smart strategy.

While Utah has beautiful mountains, a great culture and fascinating history, it also has major emergencies that require some consideration. Here are Utah’s most probable disasters and how to plan for them.

Earthquakes

According to the Working Group on Utah Earthquake Probabilities, there is a huge chance of major earthquakes occurring in the Wasatch Front Region. According to their research, there’s a 57 percent chance of a magnitude 6.0, or greater, earthquake occurring in the next 50 years.

Because the risk of earthquakes is so high in Utah, it’s important to come up with a plan for before, during and after an earthquake. Because most homeowners insurance does not cover earthquake damage, earthquake insurance is worth considering. In most cases, earthquake insurance is available through an endorsement.

Emergency medical kits, water supplies and food storage are all great precautionary resources to set up in a household. It’s also important to practice to drop, cover up, and hold on, which is the suggested method to use during an earthquake.

Drought

Utah is no stranger to droughts. At the beginning of this year, the U.S. Drought Monitor gave Utah a 64 percent chance of abnormally dry weather and a 13 percent chance of a moderate drought.

Families can modify their water-preserving plans to find the right fit for them. Most families can do things such as storing water, refraining from watering the lawn and running laundry washers on a full load only.

Families with younger kids might struggle with avoiding baths, so come up with an alternative. Perhaps flushing the toilet sparingly might be a good compromise or avoiding letting the faucet run.

Job loss

In the United States, there were 60,127 total reported job cuts between January and June of this year. While the idea of sudden unemployment might seem unlikely, it’s still important to prepare.

Starting to save now is one of the best methods for preparing for unemployment. Set aside an emergency fund that can last through a long unemployment period. Deciding how much money to set aside depends on different families, so making a financial plan is an important step.

Creating ample food storage is another great way to prepare for unemployment. While food storage is traditionally seen as something for natural disasters, it is also an effective way to save money. An extensive food storage supply can save quite a few trips to the grocery store.

Personal injury

Once again, this is an emergency that’s important to save up for. Creating an emergency fund can help pay for unexpected expenses, such as medical bills.

Personal injuries can occur at any time, so it’s best to have a medical kit available almost anywhere. Ensure there are medical kits in easily accessible places, such as cabinets, car trunks, bathrooms, etc. Stock each medical kit with supplies that can heal a variety of injuries.

Because personal injuries can happen in a variety of unexpected ways, getting help is a great option. Contact Robert J. DeBry and Associates — they’ll make things easier for you.

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