Los Gatos Weekly-Times
Homes
The Real Deal
Realtors help out with an emergency
When an emergency strikes, will you be ready? What can you do, as a homeowner, to safeguard your family and home during an emergency?
The fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the anniversary of hurricanes Katrina and Rita and recent wildfires make National Preparedness Month more meaningful for the nation and underscore the need for disaster preparedness. Members of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors would like to remind individuals and families that emergency preparation plans need to be made in homes, businesses and schools.
The National Association of Realtors recently joined with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to launch National Preparedness Month 2006, which takes place throughout September. National Preparedness Month is a nationwide effort that encourages Americans to prepare for emergencies of all kinds. A special website, www.ready.gov, has been created to share helpful and important information.
"We believe in the importance of educating individuals on the potential lifesaving steps that can be taken to ensure the safety of families in the event of a natural disaster or potential terrorist threat," said the National Association of Realtors president, Thomas M. Stevens.
Stevens said the National Association of Realtors is using its vast network to help communicate the importance of preparedness--including having a family plan and having an emergency supply kit on hand.
"Realtors are a strong voice for communicating the importance of being prepared in case of natural disasters," said Stevens.
A new booklet, the Emergency Preparedness Guide, can help homeowners prepare for emergencies. Realtors have begun distributing the recently published guide to their home-buying clients at the time a house sells.
"The Emergency Preparedness Guide outlines what to look for and how to make plans that cover different kinds of emergencies such as floods, fires, an earthquake or acts of terrorism," said John Tripp, president of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors.
Every homeowner's No. 1 priority is protecting the safety and security of home and family. The booklet provides practical tips covering A through Z to make planning for an emergency simple and easy. For example, the guide lists what should be included in a home first-aid kit and what other basic emergency supplies families should have available in their home. The guide also advises that an emergency planning strategy take into consideration a family's unique needs--prescription medications, baby formula, pet food and comfort items.
The Emergency Preparedness Guide is loaded with practical information so families may be prepared in the event of a natural disaster or a potential terrorist threat. Also included are tips on developing a family communications plan, deciding whether to stay in your home or leave, coordinating with schools and daycare providers, employers and neighbors close to home, identifying specific biological or chemical terrorist threats and how to respond to such threats.
"Buying a home is one of the most important investments you make in your lifetime. Taking the steps outlined in the guide will better prepare you to safeguard your home and protect your family now and in the future," said Tripp, who is with Foundation Trust, and a member of the Silicon Valley Realtor group's Los Gatos/Saratoga District.
The 13-page booklet is a product of the Homeownership Alliance, a 19-member housing coalition of which the National Association of Realtors is a charter member, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. A copy may be obtained from Realtors.
Information provided in this column is presented by the Realtor members of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors at www.silvar.org. Send questions on any topic to rmeily@silvar.org.
