IBHS Advises Home and Business Owners to Take 4 Steps to Prepare for Disaster during National Preparedness Month

TAMPA – September 2, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) joins with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Ready Campaign and other organizations around the country to encourage home and business owners to take time during National Preparedness Month to reduce risk and be ready before natural disasters strike. IBHS recommends four simple steps to help get prepared.

“This year’s theme: “Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today,” is a reminder that now is the time to take action and get ready before an emergency,” said Julie Rochman, IBHS CEO and president. “Take measures today to prepare your family, home, business, employees and finances by creating a plan, and make sure your family and employees know what to do.”

Here are four important steps to help you get ready:

1) Know Your Risks – Before making a plan, it’s important to know which natural disasters and severe weather events affect certain areas of the country. Use IBHS’ easy-to-use ZIP code tool at DisasterSafety.org to learn which areas are at risk for tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfire, floods, or hailstorms. The ZIP code tool also offers links to free disaster preparedness resources for those specific risks.

2) Create a Plan – create a plan using free resources from the Ready Campaign. Owners of iPhone, iPad, or iTouch, also can use the III/IBHS Know Your Plan app to create customized checklists and share them with family and friends. Business owners can take advantage of IBHS’ free OFB-EZ (Open for Business-EZ) business continuity planning toolkit to help them create a plan.

3) Stay Informed – sign up for severe weather and other emergency alerts through NOAA, the Weather Channel, the American Red Cross and others.

4) Practice your Plan – National Preparedness Month culminates with National PrepareAthon! Day on Sept. 30 when communities, families and businesses around the country are encouraged to practice their emergency plans, and make sure everyone is ready. For more information on PrepareAThon! and find out if your community is hold an event on that day, visit www.ready.gov/prepare.

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About The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)

IBHS’ mission is to conduct objective, scientific research to identify and promote effective actions that strengthen homes, businesses, and communities against natural disasters and other causes of loss.