Equip Yourself to Handle Emergencies during National Preparedness Month

9/16/2020 (Permalink)

September is National Preparedness Month (NPM), and connecting with SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville to have professionals at your fingertips when disasters hit is a great first step to emergency preparedness. Our expert team is trained at recovering and restoring your residential and commercial properties after national disasters, storm damage, water damage, fire damage, mold, and biohazards like COVID-19.

In a year full of unanticipated emergencies like the global COVID-19 pandemic following the tornadoes that swept through Nashville in March, we continue to emphasize the importance of continually family and community disaster planning—not just during National Preparedness Month. The very nature of emergencies dictates that they’re unexpected, but that doesn’t mean you have to passively wait for one to affect you to act. As the U.S. government’s NPM’s 2020 theme states, “Disasters don’t wait. Make your plan today.”

We encourage you to do the following to prepare yourself to act under the stress of an unforeseen emergency:

1. Plan your communication.

Contact your family and friends to discuss your communication methods in the event of an emergency. Whether someone in your family contracts COVID-19 or a tornado destroys your physical home, it’s important to know where, when, and how you plan to communicate the emergency to them prior to, during, and after the disaster. If you are a parent, teach your kids about what to do when disaster comes your way, especially if they happen to be separated from you at that time.

2. Build an emergency kit.

Create an emergency kit with essential items like non-perishable food, water, a blanket, a first aid kit, and a flashlight to grab whenever disaster hits. Remember to include any prescription medications, inhalers, or items that address the unique needs of particular family members or pets. Keep your kit updated and supplied according to the Center for Disease Control recommendations.

3. Know and insure your areas of risk.

Do you live in a tornado zone? Are you at risk for some emergencies or disasters more than others due to where you live and what you live close by? Make sure you have insurance coverage for whatever damage your property and lives are at risk of, and do your best to fortify your home to face any inclement weather that could cause damage. Additionally, have a plan of what to do and where to go if you’re in your house, outside your house,  or on the road when a local warning or emergency alert occurs. 

4. Put local emergency personnel numbers and  SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville’s number in your phone. 

Last but certainly not least, program the local emergency personnel numbers and SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville’s number into your phone. While you should always call 911 if the immediate situation requires medical help or is a serious danger to anyone’s lives or property, it may be helpful to call specific personnel or SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville if your property is the only thing that has been impacted by the disaster. You can reach the SERVPRO team at any time. We have an emergency preparedness team available to respond 24/7 to any emergency situation that calls for disaster restoration.

The next time a disaster hits, don’t hesitate to contact the professionals at SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville by calling (615) 242-9391. We’re trained to help you in the wake of a disaster, and our expertise ranges from fire to water damage, mold, biohazards, storm damage, and other emergency situations. For more resources to help you create an emergency plan this September, head to ready.gov.