Released on: October 24, 2007, 11:02 am

Press Release Author: Diana Ennen

Industry: Small Business

Press Release Summary: The California wild fires show how quickly disaster can
happen. These tips are essential for disaster preparedness and can not only save
lives, but also help you get back on track quickly

Press Release Body: Margate, FL, October 2007. As the California wildfires continue
and the largest evacuation in the history of California pursues, disaster recovery
planning is front and center. Homes are destroyed; families are displaced, and soon
will come the task of trying to put the pieces back together again. This task will
be enormously difficult. However, for those that did plan ahead and prepared a
disaster recovery plan, it will be easier. If you haven't prepared one for your
family, now is the time to do so. Before the next disaster hits. And even for those
in California it's not too late. 30 minutes can save you a lifetime of heartaches.



Diana Ennen, co-author of Home Office Recovery Plan: The Disaster Preparedness Guide
for Your Home Business was devasted by 8 hurricanes in Florida including a direct
hit from Hurricane Wilma. 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 (http://www.pauloreyes.com) 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.
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 -- 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 might want to consider establishing a second location in case the
first is inaccessible.

Step Two - 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.

Step Three - Take an inventory now. Write down your insurance policies including
insurance company and contact information, policy numbers, group numbers, date of
births, coverage, etc. Write down an inventory of your valuables. Take photos.
(Thank goodness for digital cameras today.)

Step Four -- Write down a complete medical history of your entire family. Include
any medical conditions, medicines and dosages, etc. Be specific. Your life can
truly depend on this one step alone.

Step Five - Get a copy of all your important information, wills, trusts, mortgages,
deeds, birth certificates, contracts, etc. You want this to go with your or to be
in the safe possession of someone out of harms way. Back-up your computer. Grab
one copy of phone bills, electric bills, etc. When power is restored and you need
to get things back up and running, it helps to have all your account numbers.

Step Six -- 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.
If you are a home-based business, alert clients of your situation.

The time to prepare is now. For those that are watching the events unfold in
California realize that this too could happen to you. Perhaps not a wild fire, but
a flood, hurricane, earthquake, even a theft or fire would cause enormous damage to
your home or business. Prepare today and have the peace of mind that comes with
knowing you are protected. Stop by our site at www.virtualwordpublishing.com for a
free sample of our Home Office Recovery Plan today.



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

Contact Details: Diana Ennen is available for media interviews by contacting her at
diana@virtualwordpublishing.com or (954) 971-4025.