Asked on Jun 30, 2012
No question, just a word of advise from a family friend
by
Carroll A
+8
Hey everyone, I just thought I would pass along a portion of an email from a family friend that lost everything in one of the fires in New Mexico. She gives us good advise. How many of us are truly prepared for an emergency. I know I was not last year when I had to evacuate for a tsunami, I thought I had a pretty good plan in place turned out I did not. Luckily for me, it did not hit. The following is a portion of their email.
If you have not done a home inventory in the last few years, or ever, you might want to take the time to do it now!
Our place was a victim of the New Mexico "Little Bear: fire, on last Saturday or Sunday along with 250+ other places.
I'm very lucky in that I was able to snap 70 very quick pictures which along with what was on mine and Roger's computers puts us in good shape, insurance wise. Beings we had very good insurance, we'll do OK except for loosing the memories of the last 50 years, and longer in some cases.
Believe me, there's not much time to do it when the fire is approaching on a 30 MPH wind, so it's best to be done and in a Safety Box, OFF SITE! There is NOTHING remaining of the house and shop/well house except piles of ash covered junk. about 3 feet high, all covered by what used to be a metal roofing.
How prepared are you?
If you have not done a home inventory in the last few years, or ever, you might want to take the time to do it now!
Our place was a victim of the New Mexico "Little Bear: fire, on last Saturday or Sunday along with 250+ other places.
I'm very lucky in that I was able to snap 70 very quick pictures which along with what was on mine and Roger's computers puts us in good shape, insurance wise. Beings we had very good insurance, we'll do OK except for loosing the memories of the last 50 years, and longer in some cases.
Believe me, there's not much time to do it when the fire is approaching on a 30 MPH wind, so it's best to be done and in a Safety Box, OFF SITE! There is NOTHING remaining of the house and shop/well house except piles of ash covered junk. about 3 feet high, all covered by what used to be a metal roofing.
How prepared are you?
11 answers
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Good reminder to all of us Carroll, thank you.
360 Sod (Donna Dixson)
on Jun 30, 2012
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Thanks for the reminder. Sending positive affirmations for your friend for peace and a new home that will help to ease her pain.
Jeanie C
on Jun 30, 2012
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Thank you for posting this, Carroll. My heart goes out to your friend and all the others who lost their homes.
Miriam Illions
on Jun 30, 2012
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Another way to add some security without a "safety box" offsite is to post digital images to remote photo sites like flickr or elsewhere on the web. You will be able to retrieve these images from any computer at a library coffee shop etc.
KMS Woodworks
on Jul 01, 2012
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Good idea KMS... Its takes just a few minutes to take stock it what you have. Make a record of it. Also think about it you have 30 mins to get out what are you going to grab?
Carroll A
on Jul 01, 2012
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sorry for your loss, glad you escaped. thanks for the reminder, i've got a backpack w/ 3 days meds etc but didnt think of the photo inventory. time to snap some pics.
Helen T
on Jul 01, 2012
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Glad you are safe, thanks for the reminder. Did you have a pack of emergency supplies ready to go?
Bernice H
on Jul 01, 2012
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Yes and No on being ready. I was not in the fire, friends were, that is their email to my family and friends. For me I moved out of the flood zone last September so I no longer have to evacuate, during tsunami warnings, I live in the "safe zone" now so family and friends that get evacuated will be heading to my place. But I do still have all my important papers in ziplocks for a quick grab and water protection, I have taken pics for inventory. If Coos Bay were to be hit with a tsunami they say we could be cut off from the rest of the state for up to 3 months (Coos Bay is surrounded by water on 3 sides) I am not prepared to be self sufficient for 3 months though.
Carroll A
on Jul 01, 2012
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Wow, thank you for sharing this! This is one of those things we often don't think about until it's too late. My thoughts are with your family!
The Space Between
on Jul 01, 2012
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So happy for your health and safe exit! Many years ago I took all of my family pictures and important papers and made copies to display in my home, and put the originals in a safe deposit box. People laughed when I did this but as I said, I can replace furniture and other material items but never can I replace pictures of my children growing or things they have made me! Best of luck to you on your rebuilding and EXTREME shopping for the new place...again, so happy you are out and safe!
Therese C
on Jul 01, 2012
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Glad everyone is ok, My state, Washington has been destroyed by wildfires this summer.. its horrible,, I'd like to add something I purchased from SUSIE ORMAN via (QVC) a few yrs back.. Its a stainless waterproof floating briefcase.. divided into sections.. with ALL the pockets needed.. : soc sec, pensions, banking, dr info, meds, insurance, , car titles, emergency phone numbers, extra keys, credit card numbers,birth certificates, and others. I'd add cel phone chargers, and info.. Once you set it up. you can grab it and go.. it may save a life, least it will do is make the tramatic situation more bearable..
Wanda sinnema
on Sep 24, 2015
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