Released on = March 15, 2006, 7:58 am

Press Release Author = Virtual Word Publishing

Industry = Small Business

Press Release Summary = Disaster planning is essential for your business and also
your family\'s well being. With today\'s threats of hurricanes, tornados, floods,
terrorists attacks, and other natural disasters, you need to be prepared. Our
article provides 5 top tips to prepare.

Press Release Body = Margate, FL (March, 2006) Hurricane Katrina, one of the most
powerful hurricanes in our nations history, Hurricane Wilma and Hurricane Rita\'s
left behind catastrophic damage. Families were displaced, homes destroyed, and now
comes the task of trying to put the puzzle together. This task remains difficult
even today. For those who aren\'t in the effected areas, you have no idea how hard
the day-to-day struggles are. You long for life to return to normal, but everyday
brings new challenges of the devastation caused by these disasters. And it\'s not
just hurricanes that can cause this damage. The mideast recently got hit with record
number of tornados, over 100 in one day. The nation has experienced floods,
mudslides, wildfires, and then the constant threat of a pending terrorist attack.
Are you ready?

Diana Ennen, co-author of Home Office Recovery Plan: The Disaster Preparedness Guide
for Your Home Business hit by 8 hurricanes since last August. Hurricane Wilma left
catastrophic damage in her city of Margate and her home suffered tremendous damage.
Without power for two weeks and facing the stress of trying to run a family and
business, she advises, \"Being prepared for a hurricane or any natural disaster takes
away the stress and anxiety. When timing is critical, I want to focus on the safety
of my family, not on taking an inventory of my business, or deciding where I need to
go. I also need to know that my family members will know how to find me after the
disaster."

Dr. Paulo J. Reyes, a First Responder in California and author of the fiction
thriller Sledgehammer has firsthand disaster recovery experience and participated in
various disaster relief efforts in California including the Air Mexicana crash in
1986, the last major earthquake in L.A. in 1994, and the influenza epidemic
1997-1998. He advised, \"Loss of lives can be greatly reduced if everyone has a
complete plan of action prior to the event. Not only with the reduction of heart
attacks and stress related illnesses, but people tend to get to safety quicker if
they have already planned ahead and know what they are going to do."

Here are some steps you can take to prepare:

Step One -- If you do not already have flood and windstorm insurance, you should
consider getting it. Keep in mind that windstorm insurance policies are not sold
when a storm threatens, so you need to think far enough ahead. You can find out
about the National Flood Insurance Program through your local insurance agent or
emergency management office. Homeowners polices do not cover damage from the
flooding that accompanies a hurricane. Find out everything you can about your
coverage now. Ask questions. You need to know this information now, before it\'s
too late and you discover you aren\'t covered when you thought you were.

Step Two - Identify a safe place for everyone to meet. This pre-determined place
should be discussed with family members prior to an emergency. Depending on the type
of emergency you are planning, you might want to consider establishing a second
location in case the first is inaccessible. Tell out-of-state family members where
this meeting place is.

Step Three - Have a safe place in the home that you can go. During Hurricane Wilma
we found firsthand how critical this was. One room of our house was badly damaged
and winds of 110 mps were blowing through. Under the extreme stress we faced at
that time, our pre-planning allowed us to be safe and secure in a room with no
windows and all the essentials we needed. With the kids screaming, I knew at the
time that I had done everything I could to ensure the safety of my family. That
advance planning is priceless.

Step Four - In addition to a safe place, each person should have a list of phone
numbers for your immediate neighbors and family members not living with you. We
suggest using 3X5 index cards and laminating them. If my family were to be
displaced, I want relatives and friends to be able to contact them immediately.

Step Five -- For businesses - You should have client contact phone numbers and
email addresses in a safe place so that you can notify them immediately of the
situation. Also, prepare a disaster recovery plan and have someone you trust keep a
copy of it. This should include vital information including medical information,
family and friend\'s names, your complete contact information, where valuable
information such as wills and trusts and legal documents are kept, serial numbers
for equipment and names of equipment and household and business supplies, and a
disaster escape route in the event you need to evacuate. Make sure you have back-up
all data and keep off site. This would be beneficial even if you home suffered a
theft. Get a generator if possible. If you are without power, that can greatly
affect the livelihood of your business.

To prepare your home and business now is the time to write a Disaster Recovery Plan.
Additional information is available at our site. Prepare now for the peace of mind
that comes with knowing you\'ve done everything you can to protect your home and
business.






Web Site = http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com

Contact Details = Diana Ennen