National Preparedness Month — Prepare now for emergencies, disasters and scams

September is National Preparedness Month, a good reminder that emergencies can happen with little warning. Hurricanes, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, flooding, fires and extended power outages can disrupt families and communities and cause significant property damage.

BBB encourages consumers to prepare before an emergency occurs. Planning ahead can help protect your family, pets, home and finances—and can make you less vulnerable to scams and questionable contractors following a disaster.

Make a Disaster Plan

A good place to begin is Ready.gov, which provides resources to help families prepare for emergencies and disasters.

Discuss these questions with everyone in your household:

• How will we receive emergency alerts and warnings?
• Where will we shelter if severe weather threatens?
• What is our evacuation route?
• Where will we meet if we become separated?
• How will we communicate if cellular service is disrupted?
• Do we have an out-of-area emergency contact?
• What arrangements do we need to make for children, older family members or anyone with special needs?
• What is our plan for our pets?

Make sure your cell phones are enabled to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts and consider signing up for alerts from your local emergency management agency. Having more than one way to receive emergency information is important.

Build or Replenish Your Emergency Supply Kit

Don't wait until a storm is approaching to look for emergency supplies. Buying supplies in advance can help you avoid shortages, long lines and higher prices.

Your emergency kit should be tailored to your household and may include:

• Water and nonperishable food
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• First-aid supplies
• Prescription medications and necessary medical supplies
• Portable phone chargers or power banks
• Cash
• Copies of important documents
• Personal hygiene products
• Supplies for infants, older adults or family members with special needs
• Food, water, medications, carriers and other supplies for pets

Review your kit at least once a year. Replace expired food, medications and batteries and update supplies as your family's needs change.

Prepare for Power Outages

Severe weather can leave homes without electricity for hours or even days. Keep flashlights, batteries and portable chargers readily available and keep mobile devices charged when severe weather is expected.

If someone in your household relies on electrically powered medical equipment, have a backup plan in place before an outage occurs.

If you use a portable generator, follow the manufacturer's safety instructions carefully. Never operate a generator inside your home, garage or other enclosed area.

Make a Financial Readiness Plan

Recovering from a disaster is easier when important financial and insurance information is organized beforehand.

BBB recommends taking several steps:

• Create a household inventory. Photograph or video your home's contents, including valuable items, appliances and electronics. Keep receipts for major purchases when possible.
• Protect important documents. Keep identification, insurance policies, financial information, property records and other critical documents in a secure location.
• Maintain secure digital copies. Consider storing encrypted or password-protected copies of important documents in secure cloud storage or another protected location.
• Keep some emergency cash available. ATMs, credit card terminals and electronic payment systems may not work during extended outages.
• Review account information. Make sure financial institutions and insurance companies have your current contact information.

Review Your Insurance Before You Need It

Don't wait until after a disaster to discover what your insurance does—and does not—cover.

Review your homeowners or renters insurance policy and talk with your insurance agent about:

• Your coverage limits
• Deductibles
• Temporary living expenses
• Replacement-cost versus actual-cash-value coverage
• Coverage for personal belongings
• Flood, wind or other exclusions that may require separate coverage

Keep your insurance company's claims number and policy information somewhere you can access it even if you cannot return home.

Prepare Your Home

Inspecting your property before severe weather arrives can prevent minor problems from becoming major ones.

Consider:

• Are there damaged or missing roof shingles?
• Are gutters and downspouts clear?
• Are there signs of leaks or water intrusion?
• Are trees or large limbs too close to your home?
• Are doors, windows and exterior structures secure?
• Are drainage systems working properly?
• Are there areas of your home that could be vulnerable to flooding or wind damage?

BBB.org can help you find BBB Accredited Businesses for roofing, tree service, waterproofing, restoration and other home-improvement needs.

Don't Let a Disaster Turn Into a Contractor Nightmare

After major storms and other disasters, contractors often arrive in affected communities offering immediate repairs. Many are legitimate businesses, but disasters can also attract "storm chasers" and scammers.

BBB recommends:

• Research contractors at BBB.org before hiring them.
• Check the company's BBB Business Profile, rating, complaints and customer reviews.
• Verify required licenses and insurance.
• Get multiple estimates when possible.
• Be cautious of unsolicited door-to-door offers.
• Resist high-pressure sales tactics.
• Get the scope of work, price, payment schedule and warranties in writing.
• Read contracts carefully before signing.
• Be cautious about paying large amounts upfront.
• Don't allow someone you don't know unrestricted access to your roof, attic, crawl space or other areas that are difficult for you to inspect yourself.

Be especially cautious when someone tells you that you must make an immediate decision to receive a special price. A legitimate contractor should give you reasonable time to understand what you are agreeing to.

Watch for Price Gouging

High-demand products and services can become difficult to find after a disaster. Consumers may encounter unusually high prices for gasoline, hotel rooms, generators, bottled water, building materials, tree removal and other necessities.

Buying essential supplies before an emergency can help you avoid shortages and unnecessary expenses.

Consumers who believe a business is engaging in illegal price gouging should document the product or service, price, business name, location and date and report their concerns to the appropriate authorities. Consumers can also report misleading advertising and questionable marketplace practices to BBB.

Be Careful When Shopping Online

Scammers know consumers may urgently search online for generators, emergency supplies, home repairs and other products before and after a disaster.

Before purchasing from an unfamiliar website:

• Research the company at BBB.org.
• Check the website address carefully for misspellings or impersonator sites.
• Be skeptical of prices that are dramatically lower than those of established retailers.
• Avoid sellers demanding payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers or other difficult-to-recover payment methods.
• Use a credit card when possible because it generally provides additional protections if something goes wrong.

If you encounter a suspicious offer or believe you've been scammed, report it to BBB Scam Tracker at BBB.org/ScamTracker. Your report can help BBB investigate and warn other consumers.

Start With Trust

Preparation can make a significant difference when an emergency occurs. Make a plan, build your emergency supplies, review your insurance, document your property and know where to turn for trustworthy help before you need it.

When hiring a business, use BBB.org to research businesses and find BBB Accredited Businesses in your area.

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Kelvin Collins is president & CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving the Fall Line Corridor, which serves 77 counties across Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina. BBB helps consumers make informed marketplace decisions, promotes trustworthy business practices and provides resources to help consumers avoid scams.

To research a business, file a complaint, submit a customer review or report a scam, visit BBB.org. For assistance from your local BBB, call 800-763-4222 or email info@centralgeorgia.bbb.org.