Happy September! This month's update brings you helpful advice, timely insights, and resources you need to know as the month continues. What's included: Emergency preparedness and your insurance, key dates to remember, Dave's Corner: 10 Alarming Retirement Statistics You Can’t Ignore, and a few great reads for the month. | | September Is National Preparedness Month — Here's How to Get Ready | Every September, National Preparedness Month encourages Americans to take stock of how ready they are for emergencies, whether that's a natural disaster, a house fire, a power outage, or an unexpected crisis at home or on the road. The campaign, led by FEMA's Ready.gov initiative since 2004, centers on four key actions: knowing your risk, making a family emergency plan, building an emergency supply kit, and getting involved in your community. Most people mean to get prepared. Life just gets in the way. September is the nudge to actually do it. Know Your Risk Emergencies don't look the same everywhere. Tornadoes, wildfires, earthquakes, flooding, and winter storms all affect different parts of the country in different ways. The first step in preparedness is understanding what types of emergencies are most likely where you live so you can plan specifically for those scenarios rather than a generic worst case. Ready.gov has a helpful tool for exploring risks by disaster type and region. Make a Family Emergency Plan A plan made in advance is infinitely more effective than one made in the middle of a crisis. A solid family emergency plan covers four basics: -
Where you'll go if you need to evacuate, including a backup location if your first choice isn't available. -
How you'll communicate by designating a friend or relative who lives far away (usually at least 100 miles) but everyone can reach, since local lines are often jammed during disasters. -
Where you'll meet if family members are separated, both near your home and farther away. -
What you'll do for pets, elderly relatives, or family members with medical needs. Make sure everyone in the household knows the plan, not just the adults. Practice it at least once a year. Build an Emergency Supply Kit FEMA recommends having enough food, water, and medicine to sustain your household for at least 72 hours without outside help. Here's what a basic kit should include: -
Water — one gallon per person per day for at least three days -
Non-perishable food — easy to prepare, no refrigeration required -
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio -
Flashlight and extra batteries -
First aid kit -
Medications and medical supplies -
Copies of important documents -
Cell phone chargers and a backup power bank -
Cash in small bills -
Extra clothing and blankets Store your kit somewhere accessible, and check it once a year to replace expired items and update documents. Learn CPR and First Aid During a large-scale emergency, medical help may not arrive immediately. Knowing CPR and basic first aid can save a life in the time it takes for paramedics to get there. Research suggests that CPR can triple a cardiac arrest victim's chance of survival. The American Red Cross offers classes nationwide and online. Don't Forget the Insurance Piece A go-bag and a family plan are essential, but your financial recovery after a disaster depends heavily on your insurance. A few things worth reviewing this month: -
Know what's covered. Most standard homeowners and renters policies cover fire, theft, and wind damage, but flooding and earthquakes typically require separate policies. If you live in an area prone to either, the time to buy that additional coverage is now. Many flood insurance policies don't take effect until 30 days after purchase, so don't wait for a storm to be on the way. -
Build a home inventory. Walk through your home with your phone camera and document your belongings: serial numbers, estimated values, and receipts where possible. Store it somewhere off-site or in the cloud. After a disaster, most people can't remember everything they own, which means they don't collect their full benefits. -
Put together an insurance document kit. Store copies of your policy numbers, your agent's contact information, government-issued IDs, and medical records in a waterproof, fireproof container you can grab quickly. -
Renters, this applies to you too. Your landlord's insurance covers the building, not your belongings. Renters insurance is often less than $15 a month and covers your personal property, liability, and temporary housing if your unit becomes uninhabitable. Preparedness doesn't have to be overwhelming. A few small steps taken now can make all the difference when it matters most. If you have any questions about your coverage or want to make sure you're protected heading into fall, I'm happy to help. | Here are a few notable dates and reminders to keep in mind this month! -
September 11th is Patriot Day. A national day of solemn remembrance for the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the 2001 terror attacks. Take a moment to reflect, honor the first responders who showed extraordinary courage, and commit to an act of service or kindness in their memory. -
September 18th is National Cheeseburger Day. Fire up the grill, find your favorite local spot, or get creative in the kitchen. A cheeseburger this good deserves a proper celebration. -
September 19th is National Gymnastics Day. Celebrated every third Saturday of September, this day invites people of all ages to explore the grace and athleticism of gymnastics. Many local gyms host open houses and free classes, a fun one to check out with kids. -
September 21st is World Alzheimer's Day. A global effort to raise awareness and challenge the stigma surrounding Alzheimer's disease. Take a moment to learn about the early signs, support a caregiver in your life, or advocate for those affected. -
September 28th is National Family Day. Celebrated on the fourth Monday of September, this is a day to slow down and be present with the people who matter most. Plan a meal together, take a walk, or simply enjoy each other's company. -
September 29th is World Heart Day. A global call to action around cardiovascular health, the leading cause of death worldwide. Small daily habits make a big difference. Today is a good reminder to move a little more, eat a little better, and schedule that checkup you've been putting off. | 10 Alarming Retirement Statistics You Can’t Ignore - 65% of Americans feel behind on retirement savings.1
- Social Security pays about $24,850 a year on average—nowhere near enough to retire on.2
- Total credit card debt is about $1.2 trillion, and 33% of Americans owe more on their cards than they’ve saved for retirement.3,4
- Only 32% of Americans work with a financial advisor. Most are going it alone or asking family for advice.5
| A referral is the highest compliment you can give us! To show our appreciation for every referral we enter your name into our monthly drawing. You could win gift cards or cash. Also, for every referral that you send to Allco Insurance, that writes a policy with us, we donate $10 to Stripes of a Warrior. Stripes of a Warrior is a great cause that we support wholeheartedly. They will provide financial assistance to those that have been diagnosed with cancer and are unable to afford their housing, medical bills, medication, or food expenses. Referrals have helped raise over $28,000 in the past 9 years for Stripes of a Warrior. To learn click HERE. | September Article Round-Up |
We've rounded up a few great reads from around the web to keep you informed and entertained this month:
| Somewhere out there, a tree is having a rough September. | As always, if you have any insurance questions or want to make sure your coverage is ready for the season ahead, don't hesitate to reach out. We're happy to help. | |
