The winter rains in Southern California marked the second wettest year on record. With the rains, 
came the slides.
And unfortunately, the slides continue to this day.
While traveling back from a business organizing client last week, I snapped this shot traveling up Laurel Canyon Boulevard just below Mullholland Drive. The Studio City house sits in a seemingly abandoned state, which makes this Professional Organizer think the owners were not properly prepared for a disaster.
Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services--water, gas, electricity or telephones--were cut off? Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone right away. Therefore, the best way to make your family and your home safer is to organize before disaster strikes. Here are 10 simple disaster preparedness tips from John Trosko, Professional Organizer and President, of OrganizingLA:
- Always keep insurance policies, documents and other valuables in your safe deposit box.
- Phone your insurance agent to purchase flood insurance if you are in a high-risk flood area. Regular home owner's insurance policies don't cover don't cover flood damage.
- Post emergency numbers near the telephone, or in your car's glove compartment.
- Keep a crowbar under your bed to open jammed doors, or to remove broken glass to escape.
- Keep a set of spare shoes along with the crowbar and extra cash.
- Stash a flashlight and lightstick in your nightstand.
- Keep heavy duty gloves and an AM Radio with working batteries.
- Have some sort of escape plan for your family (and pets) as well as a meeting place.
- Clean up properly. There are specialists who repair flood damage and facilitate insurance claims.
- Remember: Being organized prepares you and your family for disaster. If you had moments to gather what's most important to you, could you do it?
