Preparedness Pays Off: Tips for National Preparedness Month

Fighting Fraud
By Better Business Bureau Serving Greater Cleveland

September is recognized nationwide as National Preparedness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. Better Business Bureau^® (BBB^®) Serving Greater Cleveland is reminding consumers that preparation today can make all the difference tomorrow.

 “Emergencies can come in many forms—from power outages and severe weather to cyberattacks and unexpected financial disruptions,” said Pamela Anson, President and CEO of BBB^® Cleveland. “Having a plan in place helps protect your family, your finances, and your business.”

BBB Tips for Staying Prepared:

1. Make a plan.
   1. Be prepared by thinking ahead. Think of your home – do you need to make any repairs? Does your roof need to be replaced? Waterproof your basement? Buy a home warranty?
   2. Think of your family – who can you contact if disaster strikes? Does your family have an emergency plan? 
2. Build a kit.
   1. Create an emergency supply kit. Stock your supply kit with essentials like water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, first-aid supplies, and important documents. 
   2. Additionally, beware of scams when purchasing items for a potential disaster. Scammers will jack up the price for home necessities. 
3. Prepare for disasters in advance.
   1. Winter is around the corner, and that means so is bad weather. In case of a snowstorm or heavy rain, think in advance of what could happen. Check your insurance coverage. Do you need a sump pump for your basement? Need a contractor? Could a tree potentially damage your home? 
4. Teach your kids to be prepared.
   1. Talk to them about “Storm Chasers” and door-to-door contractors that may come knocking after a storm. 

Even if we can predict a storm, it’s still hard to know the aftereffects. That’s why being proactively prepared is always a good idea. Don’t wait until after a disaster to make these decisions. 

For more resources and tips, visit BBB’s Natural Disasters Hub on BBB.org. Have additional questions? Reach out to your BBB at 216.241.7678 or [email protected].  Have a scam to report? Report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker.