I spend most of my week at work so chances are I’d be more likely to experience a disaster or emergency here than anywhere else!From severe storms to power outages, a number of things could happen while on the job. Here’s how you can get ready:

1. Review your company’s evacuation policies and emergency exit routes.

2. Find a backpack or something small to keep under your desk that you can grab in a hurry.

3. Add top survival items to the kit - flashlight, food, water, etc. (for a recommended list click here).

Want more? Top work preparedness advice from experts…

Already have a work “to-go” kit? What do you have in it? Share in the Comments section below!

We’re here in Minneapolis watching a gorgeous day slowly change into a stormy one.

So how do you know when it’s time to make a severe weather plan or move to a safe room? Here are some tips from meteorologists and storm chasers:

1. Know the official signs:

• A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH tells you when and where severe thunderstorms are more likely to occur.
• A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING is issued when severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property to those in the path of the storm. Also listen for Tornado Watch or Warning and Flash Flood Watch or Warning.
• Listen for tornado sirens — remember you may not be able to hear them or they might not be sounded in time.
• Turn on your weather radio or tune into your local TV stations for updates.

2. Watch for changing weather conditions, especially for tornadoes. The sky may turn very dark (like night) or have a dark green tinge. Blowing debris or the sound of an approaching tornado may alert you; people who have lived through it say that an approaching tornado sounds like a freight train.

3. While a thunderstorm might seem common (especially this time of year), remember that all thunderstorms are dangerous. Head indoors as soon as you see lightning or hear that first clap of thunder.

4. Head to a safe place. If severe weather is imminent or a tornado is on its way, head to an interior room with no windows. Bring flashlights, your weather radio, food and water.

5. Want more? Get ready for emergencies with our get ready month series we published last year here on the blog.

Have a severe weather tip or story? Share in the Comments section below! 

A recent study published in the New Scientist magazine found that blogs, maps, photo sites and instant messaging systems played a larger and perhaps better role in  providing warnings, help and lists of how individuals were affected than traditional sources.

From The Telegraph in UK:

During the Virginia [Tech] shootings, they found the emergency services were slow to update their reports on the latest situation and the names of those killed.

Within just 90 minutes of the first deaths, however, a web page accurately describing the events appeared on web encyclopedia Wikipedia.

Twenty minutes after that, Facebook users had set up a group called ‘I’m OK at VT’, which allowed students and staff to reassure the wider world that they were safe.

Along with online blogging and social networking sites, another emerging trend is  emergency text messaging, especially at colleges. Other large organizations such as the Red Cross have also set up online sites, like the Safe and Well site, for victims to let their families know they’re safe.

How has social networking played a role in your family’s life after a disaster? Have you been able to learn more about what has happened or to get in touch with others?

Share your story in the Comments section below! 

April showers bring…lots more showers and storms. Spring is certainly severe weather season.

Even if you don’t experience hurricanes or tornadoes where you live on a regular basis, severe weather and emergencies can happen anywhere, anytime. In fact, homeowners are 26 times more likely to be affected by a flood than by a fire!

So do what you can to get ready today! Here are some steps to get you started:

1. The essentials: make a “to-go” kit. Even if it’s just a knapsack with important papers, food, water and extra medications, that’s a great start. How to make your to-go kit.

2. Get out now! Time is extremely important in any emergency. Learn how to get out of your home in a hurry. Don’t have a lot of time? Watch this quick two-minute video which offers quick tips and strategies on how to exit your home.

3. Dig deep. Last year, we dedicated a month-long series to help you get ready for anything and everything. Don’t worry, you don’t need to do every task all at once! Just pick and choose what works for you and your family. Get ready for emergencies…

4. Disaster ready. Is your area typically prone to certain disasters? Brush up on your preparedness skills and knowledge with these helpful guides:

• Get Ready: Tornadoes
• Get Ready: Hurricanes
• Get Ready: Floods
• Get Ready: Earthquakes
• Get Ready: Storms

That’s all for Day#3! Tomorrow we’ll suggest quick tips and tasks you can easily tackle over the weekend.

Welcome back! It’s Day 2 of our week-long spring cleaning series. (Read Day #1 here!)

Spring cleaning can be a lot more than just cleaning out closets and putting winter items away: how about “cleaning” and organizing your financial house as well!

Pick a topic below and get started!

Insurance

Having adequate coverage is key, just in case the unexpected occurs. You never know when Mother Nature might cause a slight disruption in your life, so get ready!

1. How much is your home worth? Do you have enough insurance on your home to rebuild it if it is destroyed? Do you even know how to calculate the amount of insurance you need? Learn how to estimate your home’s value.

2. Am I covered? The more you know and understand about home insurance, the better you can insure yourself and your family in case of loss. Top questions to ask your agent…

3. Get extra coverage. Did you know that most home owner’s insurance policies only cover about $1000 worth of electronics and only $1500 worth of jewelry? Look into extra riders to make sure your possessions are protected…

4. Review your policy. There are about five key events that should trigger a review. The first one is…

Finances

1. Start an emergency fund. Unexpected medical bills, disasters, even car accidents - you should have a pool of money set aside for these little speed bumps of life. Learn how to get started…

2. Do a home inventory. It’s like “found money” - it can help you make your case to the insurance companies when filing a claim after a loss, theft or natural disasters. Learn more…

3. Write a will and name beneficiaries for major policies. Take care of your finances for your loved ones before it’s too late. Start today.

That’s Day 2! Check back tomorrow for tips on how to prep your home for the spring severe weather season ahead. Have a tip? Post it in the Comments section below!

Have a little extra bounce in your step thanks to the warmer weather? Me too! That extra hour of sunlight in the evening sure does the trick.

In honor of Mr. Sun, here are a few preparedness tasks you can do outside while you enjoy the warmer weather this weekend:

1. Prep for severe weather:

• Head outside and make a list of items that need to be brought inside if windy, stormy weather is in the forecast (patio furniture, lawn ornaments, bikes, doghouse, trash cans, toys, etc).
• Keep the list in your Home Disaster Preparedness Kit, along with your emergency phone numbers list .
• Additional home disaster preparations…

2. Know your numbers:

• When you’re outside, check and see if your house number is visible from the street - in case emergency personnel need to find your home in a hurry. Top tips on improving your house number’s visibility…

3. Weekend warrior:

• Tackling DIY projects? Read these top DIY safety tips before you get started.

Have a great weekend!!

Bloggers Marc and Angel have a list of the top ten phone numbers you should have in your cell phone just in case. You just never know when you might need them!

• 10 Handy Numbers to Save in Your Mobile Phone [Marc and Angel via Lifehacker]

Also, this brings to mind another blog post from a while back:

• Four Professionals Everyone Should Keep on Speed Dial

Still in need of additional contact lists to have just in case? Print out these handy emergency contact lists to keep a hard copy of your contact numbers - store them near your landlines at home or at work.

Hopefully this will never happen to any of you…but it might happen (or has already happened) to someone you know.

Layoffs are a common cause of job loss but natural disasters can also cause someone to lose their job. Just one month after Hurricane Katrina, over 217,000 of the 800,000 evacuees were unemployed (that’s more people than the population of Salt Lake City!!), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

To help you combat the financial crisis that may come with any job loss or to prepare just in case this might happen to you, the University of Florida Extension service has put together an article with 9 guidelines to “help you hold onto what resources you have and survive this financial crisis.”

• “What to Do If You Lose Your Job” (University of Florida Extension service)

This is the last part of the article “Insurance Riders: Do I Need One?” written by our guest insurance blogger, Stephen Hadhazi.

How much coverage is enough? Do I need to buy extra riders to cover the contents in my home? Stephen Hadhazi, a certified public insurance adjuster, tackles the answers to these very questions:

Policy Limits

In addition, certain items such as jewelry, firearms, coin collections, furs, fine art, computers, and electronics are subject to policy limits. To make sure you’re adequately covered, inventory your possessions and compare the value against your personal property coverage and any related limits.

The following list represents common policy limits:

• Business personal property - $2500
• Computer equipment and electronics - $1000
• Firearms - $2000
• Jewelry, furs, fine arts - $1000-$1500
• Money (including coin collections) - $250
• Silverware - $2500
• Structures other than dwelling such as sidewalks, driveways, fences, permanent yard structures, and swimming pools – 10% of the dwelling limit
• Trees and landscaping – 5% of the dwelling limit

Endorsements(riders) to consider:

• Individual floaters for valuable items
• Replacement Cost Value coverage (not available for personal property on flood policies)

Personal Liability Limits

Most policies offer liability limits of $100,000 to $300,000. While this sounds like a lot of money, it might not be enough especially if you have a high net worth or own expensive assets, a dog, a swimming pool, or your own business.

Most policies offer liability limits of $100,000 to $300,000. While this sounds like a lot of money, it might not be enough especially if you have a high net worth or own expensive assets, a dog, a swimming pool, or your own business.

If you have a home-based business, your liability is limited. For example, if a customer or business contact is injured in your home, your homeowners insurance won’t necessarily cover injuries, medical costs, or lawsuits.

Endorsements(riders) to consider:

• Home business endorsement
• Increase liability limits to match or exceed your net worth
• Umbrella policy

Because all situations are different it’s important to understand your policy and address any shortcomings before disaster strikes. Review your policy annually and add or remove endorsements as needed to reflect any changes in your situation.

In addition, you may want to call a Public Insurance Adjusting company in your area and ask them what insurance company is writing the best policies and is which company would be easiest to deal with if you were ever faced with a claim. Then, keep that company’s number handy just in case you ever need them.