FAMILY DISASTER PLANNING

Montgomery County home owners are seldom faced with disasters such as the type experienced by some Americans; the tornados that wreck havoc with the midwest, floods in the south and southwest,
severe cold spells experienced by households in the far northern areas of the country, forest and brush fires in the dryer parts of the Rocky Mountain areas and the west coast and hurricane damages in the golf and southern states along the Atlantic Coast.

However, we are in the fringe areas of some of these disaster locations. Montgomery home owners may experience severe rain damage following the remnants of hurricane moving up from the south. We may see severe cold winds that cause electrical outages for several days. We have seen wind damage to many of the older mature trees along our streets that disrupt traffic, electric supply, roofs damaged and other assorted problems. Long electric outages are probably one of the worst problems in our area, especially in the older areas of Bethesda, Germantown, Gaithersburg and Silver Spring where overhead electrical supply lines are still our main electric supply.

FAMILY DISASTER PREPARATION KIT

BE PREPARED WITH A DISASTER KIT FOR YOUR HOME IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

A NOTE FROM LENN HARLEY, BROKER FOR HOMEFINDERS.COM
Montgomery County experienced long electrical outages in 2003 when Hurricane Isabel came through. My home in Bethesda was without electricity for 5 days. My recommendation: Store lots of batteries.

We suggest purchasing a large plastic trash can or bin and stock it with the following:

FOOD FOR THE FAMILY
* Water stored in plastic containers. A three day supply is recommended.

* Cans of food that can be eaten without cooking, beans, fruits, vegetables, meats, juices, milk, formula. Yes, you can buy bottled coffee today. Tea will seep into cold water with time. Don't forget to include a can opener.

* Quick snacks for the children and hard working adults; peanut butter, crackers, granola bars, trail mixes and/or raisins and nuts.

* Baby food if needed, special diet food for folks who require it in their diets.

FIRST AID KIT
* Rather than stock a first aid kit with supplies, these can be purchased at your local Pharmacy, ready to go with sterile supplies.

* Miscellaneous items: safety pins, latex gloves, sunscreen, toothbrushes and tooth paste.

* Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever, antacid, anti-diarrhea medication, Ipecac, activated charcoal (can be purchased at pharmacies) prescription medication.

TOOLS AND SUPPLIES
* Paper dishes, utensils, paper cup, paper towels, disposable baby bottles.

* Flashlight(s), batteries, batteries, batteries and more batteries, matches.

* Battery operated radio/TV

* Favorite toys for the little ones.

* Tools: pliers, duct tape, compass, signal flare, pencil paper, wrench, plastic sheeting, toilet paper, towelettes, soap, feminine supplies, plastic bags, bucket with tight lid, disinfectant, bleach.

CLOTHING AND SLEEPING SUPPLIES
* Boots, rain gear, blankets or sleeping bags, caps, gloves, extra underwear.
diapers.

IMPORTANT FINANCIAL LEGAL DOCUMENTS
It is recommended that home owners use a watertight container to store the following important document. * Wills, insurance policies, stocks and bonds, passports, immunization records, credit card account umbers/vendors, important telephone numbers, birth certificates, death certificates. The deed to your home can be included, but is seldom used because there is a records at the county land records if needed and will be found by an abstractor if you sell real estate or borrow equity.

KEEP ALL OF THE ABOVE IN A LARGE, EASY TO CARRY CONTAINER.

Stay safe and comfy.

Homes Montgomery County MD
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