Access Home Encourages You to Participate in National Severe Weather Preparedness Week March 2-8, 2014!

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Access Home Insurance Company is encouraging individuals, families and businesses to use National Severe Weather Preparedness Week, March 2-8, 2014 as an opportunity to become better prepared for severe weather threats. This year NOAA has selected the theme Be a Force of Nature: Take the Next Step. Being a force of nature means taking the proactive steps of knowing your risk, being prepared and taking the appropriate actions before, during, and after extreme weather conditions. Even more than that, being a force of nature means saving lives by inspiring others to do the same.

Before storms strike, Be a Force of Nature and take steps to make sure you and your family are prepared for severe weather. Below are a few ideas to help you Be a Force of Nature:

• Ensure you and your family know your surroundings and the risk associated with severe weather events.
• Have an emergency plan. The plan should include the location and contents of your emergency kit (flashlights, batteries, water, first aid, etc.) as well as how the family should plan to communicate during or after a severe weather event. Post the plan in your home where family and friends who visit can see it and become familiar with it.
• Keep important papers (including your Access Home Insurance Policy) and valuables in a safe place.
• Identify an appropriate shelter in your home, neighborhood and community ahead of time. Share this information with your neighbors.
• Learn how to strengthen your home and business against severe weather. Pass this on at a community gathering or faith-based meeting.
• Find out from local government emergency management how you will be notified for each kind of disaster and sign up for additional alerts through social media and local news. Understand these local warning systems and signals and share your knowledge with your coworkers and friends. Email these resources to your friends and post to your social media account.

To learn more visit http://www.weather.gov and www.ready.gov/severe-weather.