Live Well, Work Well: Are You Ready for the Worst?
Are You Prepared for a Disaster?
Disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and earthquakes can strike with little or no warning. September is National Preparedness Month, making it a good time for you and your household to make a plan in case you need to evacuate your home or get trapped inside for days. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends the following steps for creating an emergency plan:
- Discuss the following questions:
- How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
- What is my shelter plan?
- What is my evacuation route?
- What is my household communication plan?
- Do I need to update my emergency preparedness kit?
- Consider specific needs in your household.
- Fill out a household emergency plan.
- Practice your plan with your household.
These tips pertain to your home, but remember that emergencies can happen anywhere. Visit FEMA’s website—Ready.gov—to learn more about preparing for emergencies at home, at work and on the road.
Identifying Phone Scams
According to Federal Trade Commission data, more than 2.8 million people reported fraud in 2021, and 1 in 4 said they lost money. The median loss in scams that start with a call is $1,200, higher than any other contact method.
Recognizing red flags of phone scams could help you avoid falling for one. Here are some general indications that the person on the other end is a scammer:
- They pretend to be from a familiar organization.
- They say there’s a problem or a prize.
- They pressure you to act immediately.
- They tell you to pay in a specific way.
Phone scams come in many forms but often make similar promises or threats. Trust your gut if something seems off or too good to be true.