4 steps to help you plan for wildfires

(BPT) – Wildfires and other disasters can be challenging because you rarely get enough warning to develop a plan to protect your family and minimize property damage, much less execute that plan. Thinking ahead can make all the difference — increasing your family’s personal protection and minimizing property damage and financial impact.

Four steps that can help:

  1. Prepare your family, whether you are at home or traveling:
  • Establish a family communication and evacuation plan that includes a remote meeting place in case you’re separated.
  • Stock an emergency kit with essentials and must-haves.
  • Sign up your primary phone for Reverse 911 notifications so you can receive up-to-the-minute catastrophe bulletins and instructions. Contact your local police or fire department to inquire whether the service is available in your area.
  1. Protect your finances:
  • Review your insurance policies annually (or more frequently when major life changes occur) to ensure you have the right type and amount of coverage.
  • Establish an emergency fund. Try for three to six months of living expenses, if possible.
  • Store important documents on a secure Internet site or in a safe-deposit box that requires an ID and key.
  1. Ready your home:
  • Create a fire-free zone by trimming branches near the structure. Also clear leaves, debris and dead trees, and keep your grass mowed.
  • Properly store flammable materials and fuels.
  1. Access community help:

For more information on preparing for wildfires, visit USAA.com/WildfireHelp.

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