Essential Tips on Disaster Preparedness

If you haven’t prepared a disaster recovery plan, now is the time to do so.

Diana Ennen, co-author of Home Office Recovery Plan: The Disaster Preparedness Guide for Your Home Business witnessed  eight hurricanes in Florida including a direct hit from Hurricane Wilma.   Ennen advises, "Being prepared for a hurricane or any natural disaster takes away the stress and anxiety.  When timing is critical, I want to focus on the safety of my family, not on taking an inventory of my business, or deciding where I need to go.  I also need to know that my family members will know how to find me after the disaster.”

Here are some steps to take to prepare:

Step One --Identify a safe place for everyone to meet. This pre-determined place should be discussed with family members prior to an emergency.  A second location should be discussed.  Also, out-of-town relatives should be advised of this location.  Additionally, each person should have a list of phone numbers for immediate neighbors and family members.  3X5 index cards work well. 

Step Two – Take an inventory now.  Write down insurance policies including insurance company and contact information, policy numbers, group numbers, date of births, coverage, etc.  Write down an inventory of valuables.  Take photos.  

Step Three - Write down all your company information, insurance information, attorney and accountant information,  personal and family information and have a designated person who knows where it is.  Don't forget your web information and hosting company.

Step Four - Protect your data -- Back-up all your files and keep a copy off site.  Pay special attention to client files. 

Step Five-- Write down a complete family medical history. Include any medical conditions, medicines and dosages, doctors names and contact information, where medical records can be found, etc.  Be specific.  A life can truly depend on this one step alone.

Step Six – Get a copy of all important information, wills, trusts, mortgages, deeds, birth certificates, contracts, medical records, even household bills to help get things restored quickly, etc. Back-up your computer.  Get extra cash.  Often ATMs are down so cash is needed.

The time to prepare is now.   Stop by our site at www.virtualwordpublishing.com for a free sample of the Home Office Recovery Plan today that has forms for all the above information.   Diana Ennen is available for media interviews by contacting her via email or (954) 971-4025.