CONTACT: Brian Meehan, Email: brianm@celticinc.com, Phone: 262-789-7630, Ext. 133
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS; THREE IMPORTANT STEPS TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY AND HOME
KOHLER, Wis. – July 1, 2011 – June is Hurricane Preparedness Month. It marks the beginning of the hurricane season and serves as a stark reminder of the power and impact of severe summer storms. Being prepared for weather-related emergencies is your best defense against Mother Nature, however, most American’s do not have a disaster plan in place to protect their home and loved ones.
“Despite high profile disasters like Hurricane Katrina – as well as increased awareness about the importance of preparedness – most American’s are under-prepared for weather-related emergencies and disasters,” said Ed Del Grande, a home improvement expert on HGTVPro.com and the DIY Network. “This June, we’re encouraging Americans to take simple steps to prepare for hurricanes and other severe storms.”
There are three basic steps everyone can take to help minimize the devastating impact of a hurricane.
Step One – Plan
Planning ahead can be the difference between life and death. It also correlates with how quickly you can recover immediately following a disaster. The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, Inc (FLASH®), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting disaster safety and property loss mitigation, offers some basic tips that can make a huge difference:
Collect copies of important papers like the deed to your home, insurance paperwork, financial information, etc.
Review your property insurance coverage and keep photos and/or a video inventory of your belongings.
Collect important phone numbers and store them in your cell phone (i.e. family members, doctor, etc.).
Identify your evacuation routes. Have an alternate route planned in case the first option is not navigable.
Identify the safest place in your home to ride out a storm and make sure everyone knows where to go.
In case your family is not together when a hurricane hits, make sure you have a pre-identified meeting place in addition to your home, and make sure everyone knows the address and phone number of your meeting spot.
Step Two – Protect
When a hurricane hits, there is little time to collect belongings and evacuate. It is imperative to have essential items prepared and ready to go in a moment’s notice. Experts recommend developing an emergency kit for your family. Grab a backpack or purchase a large plastic bucket with a lid from a local hardware store or home center. Stuff the backpack or bucket with three days worth of food and water. Other items should include a flashlight, battery powered/hand-cranked radio, first aid kit, money, medications and a CD containing important documents. Store the kit in a place that is easily accessible in an emergency situation.
Step Three – Power
Power is one of the most important elements of getting your home and/or community back on its feet following a weather emergency or disaster. A permanent standby generator is often the difference between a momentary lapse of power and the stress and worry that comes with a lengthy power loss. Virtually all home owners can benefit from a standby generator, especially those who live in disaster-prone areas.
Unlike a portable generator that has to be constantly fueled with gasoline and must be hand-operated, a standby generator automatically turns on when the power turns off. A transfer switch automatically monitors utlity power and transfers the electrical load to the generator if power is lost (usually within 10 seconds). A standby generator is installed outside the home, much like an air conditioner, and runs on propane or natural gas. It can power critical appliances and systems in your home, including: lights, furnaces, air conditioners, refrigerators, sump pumps, home security systems, office equipment and delicate electronics.
“Power is fundamental to disaster recovery,” Del Grande said. “If you can power your home, you can take care of yourself and your neighbors, which allows emergency first-responders to assist those who are truly in need.”
For additional information about emergency preparedness and disaster recovery, American’s are encouraged to browse the following websites:
NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov/
FEMA: http://www.fema.gov/
Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH): http://www.flash.org/index.php
Great Hurricane Blowout: http://www.greathurricaneblowout.org/index.php
Kohler Power Systems: http://www.kohlerpower.com/residential/sectionfront.htm?sectionNumber=13561
Kohler Power Systems is a division of Kohler Co., and provides complete power systems, including generators (residential, industrial, mobile and marine), automatic transfer switches, switchgear, monitoring controls, and accessories for emergency, prime power and energy-management applications. Kohler Power Systems has delivered energy solutions for markets worldwide since 1920. For more information, individuals can visit KohlerSmartPower.com.
Founded in 1873 and headquartered in Kohler, Wis., Kohler Co. is one of the nation’s oldest and largest privately held companies. Kohler is a global leader in the manufacture of kitchen and bath products, engines and power generation systems, cabinetry, tile and home interiors, and international host to award-winning hospitality and world-class golf destinations.
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