How to Put Together an At-Home Emergency Kit

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Be Prepared with a Custom-Built Supplies Kit.

How to Prepare a Disaster Kit in Waipahu, HIFall is a great time to consider disaster preparedness and to take a look at your family’s emergency kit. While disasters can happen anywhere, whether natural or man-made, it is important that your family be prepared.

For many, the thought of having a disaster preparedness kit in their home seems silly and unnecessary. The fact of the matter is that every state in our country is susceptible to a natural disaster such as an earthquake, tornado or hurricane, flood or even a volcanic eruption. Preparing for one of these events can be quick and inexpensive, but also a great time to educate your family about safety during one of these events.

The basic home preparedness kit, according to ready.gov should include:

  • Water – 1 gallon per person, per day. Minimum 3 day supply.
  • Food – non-perishable food such as canned tuna, canned fruits & vegetables, nuts, dried fruit, low sodium crackers, soups. Also, dry mixes that do not require refrigeration. Store food in tightly closed containers to extend it’s shelf life and protect from pests. Change food & water supplies every six months to keep fresh supplies.
  • Battery powered radio for emergency information
  • Flashlight with extra sets of batteries. (Consider an LED flashlight that requires much less energy to use)
  • First aid kit
  • Whistle to signal for help
  • Dust masks, plastic sheeting and duct tape to seal off an area from contaminants
  • Moist towelettes for simple hygiene
  • A manual can opener and pocket knife
  • Cell phone w/ solar charger of some sort

Additional items could include prescription medicines, diapers, pet food and blankets. Keep this kit in a designated area where your entire family can easily find it.

If you have questions about your home, auto or renters insurance, call the insurance agents at Carr’s Insurance Agency in Waipahu. They have years of insurance experience and can help you insure everything from your home to your auto or motorcycle. They live where you do and are an independent insurance agent, so they can help you find the right company to fit your needs. You can also check out their website, 24/7.

Earthquake Insurance in Hawaii – A Solid Foundation

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Unlike some natural disasters, earthquakes are extremely difficult to predict. There are several regions in the U.S. that are at higher risk than others for having the “big one” and we just happen to live in one of them. Depending on the depth, intensity and duration, an earthquake can do significant damage to a home or condo.

This type of damage is not typically covered on a basic homeowner’s or condo insurance policy and only about 10 percent of homeowners purchase earthquake coverage. In this instance an earthquake insurance policy in Hawaii may be a smart move.

Earthquakes and Hawaii:

  • Quaking ground: Earthquakes can be brought on by many factors. The movement of a tectonic plate in a subduction zone, the slipping of rock on a strike-slip fault line, a volcanic eruption or it can be triggered by an external factor, like drilling or mining. Generally the deeper the location of the earth’s movement, the stronger the earthquake, however, the shallower it is makes it more destructive. Earthquakes that occur along coast lines can be even more destructive as an earthquake can trigger a tsunami.
  • Dwelling damage: Damage from an earthquake can range from a few easily repairable cracks in the drywall of a home, to a complete failure of the structural integrity of a home. A homeowner may need to higher inspectors, structural engineers, a contractor and the list goes on. Not to mention that a family whose home was damaged in an earthquake will need a safe place to stay until the home is repaired. If the family does not have an earthquake insurance policy, they may be responsible for paying all repair costs out of pocket. These costs can often be thousands of dollars.
  • Earthquake Insurance: An earthquake insurance policy helps cover damages and additional living expenses up to a certain dollar amount. The policy cost and the amount of the deductible may vary depending on a number of factors including, but not limited to: Age of the home, distance from a fault line, location of the home (hillside, soil type, etc.) and the type of policy either Standard or Comprehensive. The monthly cost for an earthquake insurance policy can range from a few hundred dollars a year to a few thousand dollars a year depending on your location. If you or the previous owners retrofitted the home for an earthquake by securing the home to the foundation with seismic bolts or reinforcing walls or chimneys, you may be entitled to a lower earthquake insurance policy cost.

Before purchasing a home or condo, it’s important to remember to talk to your licensed insurance agent in Hawaii to see if you might need an earthquake insurance policy. The experts Carr’s Insurance Agency in Hawaii have years of insurance experience that can save you a bundle. Plus they live right in your area, so know first-hand if you may need additional insurance such as flood insurance.  You can also visit their insurance website 24/7 to learn more about the other insurance products Carr’s Insurance Agency offers.

 

 

Disaster preparedness kit in Honolulu, HI

Basic home disaster preparedness kit in Honolulu, HI

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Disaster preparedness kit in Honolulu, HINo one wants to think that they may be stuck in their home during a natural disaster, but the reality is natural disasters happen in every state in our country. During a natural disaster, keeping your family safe and comfortable is a top priority and having a disaster preparedness kit in Honolulu, HI may help you.

A disaster preparedness kit for your home in Hawaii should include these basics:

Food and Water:

  • Two week supply of bottled water
  • Two week supply of non-perishable food like crackers, protein bars, dried fruit, etc.
  • Infant food and formula
  • Pet food
  • Utensils and plates for each person

Shelter and Comfort:

  • Plastic sheeting
  • Duct tape
  • Sleeping bags for each person
  • Emergency blankets
  • Battery operated or hand crank radio
  • Emergency locator beacon
  • Multipurpose tool, such as a Leatherman
  • Flashlight (and extra batteries)
  • Hand warmers
  • Battery-operated cell phone charger
  • List of emergency numbers (including emergency contacts, insurance agent)
  • Copies of important documents such as insurance cards, IDs, home inventory lists, etc.
  • Books, toys or other entertainment items for children
  • Extra clothing/shoes for inclement weather

Safety and Hygiene:

  • A first aid kit (make sure this kit has antiseptic, bandages, small scissors, aspirin or ibuprofen, hot and cold compresses)
  • “Help” or “Assistance Needed” sign
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Diapers
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Personal sanitizing wipes
  • Surgical masks and gloves
  • Air horn or whistle
  • Necessary medications

Of course you can add additional items to your disaster preparedness kit in Honolulu, HI depending on the needs of your family. Store your disaster kit in an easily accessible area, make sure you check your kit often and update it as things expire. For more information about a disaster preparedness kit, please visit Ready.gov.

We hope that you never need to use your disaster preparedness kit, but we hope that it will help get you and your family through the stress of a natural disaster. If a natural disaster does occur in our area, once your family is safe, call your insurance agent at Carr’s Insurance Agency in Honolulu, Hawaii as soon as possible. They can help you get the claims process started. Whatever your insurance needs, the experts at Carr’s Insurance Agency can help. Their years of insurance experience can save you a bundle!  You can also visit their insurance website 24/7 to learn more about the other valuable insurance products they offer like earthquake or flood insurance.