No one wants to think of their home being hit by a disaster. But, unfortunately, disasters – hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, wildfires, and acts of terrorism – do happen, often with little to no warning.

However, you and your family can survive tragedies like these with advanced planning and preparation. September is National Preparedness Month. This month is a great time to develop your emergency plan and gather the supplies you would need to live through a disaster.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), here are some steps you need to take now to ready yourself and your family for a potential disaster.

Put together two emergency kits (one for your home and another lightweight version you can take with you if you need to evacuate) to get you through at least three days. You’ll need:

• One gallon of water for each person for each day
• Non-perishable foods that are easy to store and prepare. Manual can opener.
• A sleeping bag or blanket for each person
• Clean clothes, including long pants, long-sleeved shirts and sturdy shoes, for each person. Warm clothes if you live in a cold climate.
• First aid kit, prescription medications and eye glasses
• Important documents, like identification, insurance policies and bank account records, in a waterproof, portable container
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• Cash, including change, or traveler’s checks
• Prepaid phone cards
• Infant formula, baby food and diapers if you have infants or toddlers
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Fire extinguisher
• Filter masks in case of air contamination
• Duct tape and plastic sheeting or heavyweight garbage bags to seal doors and windows in case of air      contamination
• Household chlorine bleach and a medicine dropper to create a disinfectant or to treat water
• Pet food and extra water if you have pets
• Personal hygiene items
• Dining and eating utensils like plates, cups, plastic silverware and paper towels
• Paper, pencils, books, games and other activities for you or your children

Create a communications plan for your family. Identify a relative or friend, preferably out of town, who you and separated family members will call or email to stay in contact. Make sure everyone knows who to call or email; and what their phone number or email address is.

Develop a plan in case you need to evacuate your home. Choose a location to go to in different directions, in case roads are closed. Keep your car’s gas tank at least half full at all times. Identify other means of transportation, in case you don’t have a car or you can’t use it.

Know the emergency plans for your workplace and your children’s schools. Find out how your workplace or your children’s schools will communicate with family members.

Learn how to prepare yourself in the event of natural or manmade emergencies. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security FEMA website at www.ready.gov/business.

At Grandview Lending, we hate to see homeowners experience tragedies. But with advanced preparation, you may be able to minimize any personal loss. And remember, we’re here to help you with all your home loan needs as they arise.