Don’t get blown away this tornado season: GEICO offers tips to help you stay safe
WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–According to the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), approximately 1,200
tornadoes hit the U.S. each year. GEICO offers a few important tips to
help you protect yourself, your family and your belongings:
-
Put together a disaster supply kit – Gather important supplies
such as battery-powered flashlights and radios, extra batteries, a
first-aid kit, blankets, personal hygiene products, and a spare change
of clothes. Also consider specialty items for children, elderly and
pets. -
Build an emergency communication and evacuation plan – Pick a
safe place to meet in the event that your family is separated during a
storm. Determine how you will get in touch with loved ones to let them
know you are safe. -
Designate a safe room within your home – Select a place in your
home where you and your family will be most safe during a storm. The
basement or an interior room on the main level typically provides the
best protection against severe weather. -
Stock up on food and water – Always keep a supply of
non-perishable food and water to last each family member at least a
week. One gallon of water per person, per day is the suggested amount.
Also make sure you have access to a manual can opener and other
important utensils you may need. -
Store important documents in a safe location – Consider
investing in a safe box to store your important documents, photos and
other valuables. -
Create a home inventory – Keep an up-to-date inventory of all
items in your home. Include photos of valuables such as electronics
and jewelry. This may help speed up the claims process if damage
occurs as a result of the storm. -
Review your insurance coverage – Contact your insurance carrier
to find out if you’re fully protected. Use your home inventory to help
determine if you have purchased enough insurance. -
Pay attention to weather alerts – Be aware of weather alerts
and updates. In the event that a tornado watch or tornado warning is
issued, seek shelter immediately and follow any official instructions
from local or national officials.
For more information on how to stay safe when a tornado hits, visit GEICO’s
Catastrophe Center. In the event of a severe tornado, GEICO’s
Catastrophe Response (CAT) Team will be on standby to assist. GEICO
policyholders who need to report a loss can log on to the new
mobile app, GEICO’s
Claims Center, or call 1-800-841-3000 24 hours a day.
Contacts
GEICO Communications
301-986-3271
gcorpcomm@geico.com
To
view GEICO’s Blog: http://blog.geico.com/