If it becomes necessary to evacuate, plan for it ahead of time. Talk it over and make decisions so everyone is on the same page. Preparation can save lives and reduce the amount of time it takes to get your family to safety and eventually back home.

Evacuation plan

• Where you'll go.
  Decide ahead of time where you'll go when you evacuate, taking into consideration people may be coming from work, school, or other locations. If you have children in school, find out where they will be sent when an evacuation is announced. Update this plan every year or as schools or careers change.
• Who you'll contact.
  Designate someone outside the area to contact in the event you are separated from your family, or if your electricity is not working in your home. Should the situation be grave enough where your family can't evacuate together, have everyone call the contact person to say they are safe.
• Where you'll meet.
  Agree on a meeting point for the family if you're separated during a disaster.
• Evacuation Routes
  Plan several evacuation routes from your area that are not low-lying, and test them often for efficiency. In the event of a flash flood you won't be able to evacuate, but you must seek higher ground. In areas where there is extreme heat, identify places to avoid exposure like malls, movie theaters or a friend's home.

​Source: https://www.foremost.com/learning-center/prepare-for-an-evacuation.asp

Hurricanes. Just the thought of them can make a person tremble in fear. Whether you've experienced a hurricane yourself or you've just heard about their destructive patterns, these bad boys know how to make their name heard. The technical definition of a hurricane is a tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of at least74 mph. A major hurricane is a tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph. To put that into perspective, imagine sticking your head out the window of a car as you travel down the highway - that's the speed of wind you would be up against during a low-scale hurricane. Sound scary? It is. By knowing your vulnerability and what actions to take, you may be able to reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster.

​Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. Foremost wants to share some tips to ready your home and family prior to a severe storm, may it hit. It's never too early to:

• Determine safe evacuation routes inland. Don't forget about your pets!
• Learn the different warning signs and alerts to watch for.
• Meet with those you live with to create an emergency and evacuation plan.
• Learn locations of official shelters. Red Cross has a great resourcethat will help you locate shelter in the event of a disaster.
• Review your insurance policy with your agent. Is your property covered for such an event?

Whether the hurricane threats are immediate or they seem off in the distance, it's important for all residents of hurricane areas to be prepared and think ahead. We offer detailed hurricane preparedness plans, checklists for inventory, and information on what to do after a storm hits your area.

​Stay safe through these storm seasons! Your safety is number one to us.

Source: https://www.foremost.com/learning-center/more-storms-to-come-during-hurricane-season.asp

It feels like we blinked and boom - summer is here. It comes and goes as quickly as that, so I try to make every day count (especially living in the north!). I recently made a list of things I'd like to do before fall arrives. I only have three to four months to work with, and doing this gives me something to look forward to each month. If you're feeling stumped on what to add to your list, I’ve got you covered!

Here's some fun ideas to add to your summer bucket list to make it the most memorable year yet.
​

1. Have a picnic.
   It only takes an hour or two and it's a fun, relaxing activity with a family or friend. If you can't find someone who is available, bring your furry friend along!
   
   
   
2. Spend the day at the beach.
   Nothing beats the feeling of the sun on your face and the sound of waves in the distance. If you aren't close to a beach, go to a friend's pool or your city's pool for some water fun.
   
   
   
3. Go to an amusement park.
   Take the kids and head to your local water park or amusement park to make some fun memories. You'll definitely take some fun pictures and have a lot of laughs!
   
   
   
4. Throw a BBQ at your house.
   Have you always "talked" about getting together with your friends for dinner, but it never happened? Well, now's your chance! Grill up all of those savory foods you've been thinking about all summer and host a great evening at your place.
   
   
   
5. Go camping for a weekend.
   If you're craving the outdoors, this one is for you. Pick a weekend to unplug from your life, and soak in the scenery and wildlife.
   
   
   
6. Stargaze.
   Summer is the perfect time to go stargazing. Drive far away from the city lights to look at the many constellations and planets in the sky! Experts say the best places to stargaze are national or state parks.
   
   
   
7. Attend a bonfire.
   There's no better way to end the night than with a warm fire and some roasted marshmallows!
   
   
   
8. Watch a movie at a drive-in theater.
   It's rare to find a drive-in theater nowadays. If there's one located near you, go watch your favorite flick for a memorable experience.
   
   
   
9. Go to the zoo.
   If you want to do a fun, affordable activity with your kids, this one is for you. They will love seeing their favorite animals up close, and depending on the zoo, they may offer some interactive exhibits for the kids.
   
   
   
10. Go on a mini vacation.
    If you need some new scenery, planning a weekend getaway will be the perfect cure. Look up the nearest vacation town near you, book the hotel, start driving and don't look back! You'll thank me later.
    ​
    
    

Before you know it, the cold will be back (in some parts of the country), school will be in session…and you'll be thinking about the smell of that bonfire or how the sand felt between your toes.

Source: https://www.foremost.com/learning-center/10-summer-bucket-list-ideas.asp