Many of us begin the new year by resolving to do better than we did in the past year.
This blog post isn’t for you who are recently bereaved but for those who are down that road a little way, for those who are learning to be single.
When we are just putting ourselves together after a significant loss, the last thing we want to think about is another emergency. Being better prepared for an emergency IS a topic of importance to those who are Suddenly Single and thus this post comes out of my own experience in 2017 — an experience when being single became a liability!
In late May 2017, my basement flooded. Fortunately, I hadn’t left for work yet and noticed it early but that did not mean that I could prevent damage from occurring. In spite of all my effort, and a new shop vac, I couldn’t stop the water coming in. I exhausted myself trying because I didn’t know who to call for help.
So, I’m writing from experience, knowing now that planning for the inevitable bad things that happen can save time, headache, and worry later. Not to mention the physical exhaustion of trying to do everything yourself.
I’m writing this post with a what-I-wish-I-would-have-had mindset.
I wish I would have had a list of reputable professionals that had been recommended to me by someone where I could find it. I have a file folder for my house insurance but a posted sheet or binder of important numbers would have saved me time when I was in a panic. I wasted precious time calling a company that REPAIRS sump pumps rather than calling a plumber who would REPLACE my sump pump. I needed to have the phone number of a plumber at hand, and I didn’t. Google lead me astray.
I wish I would have been forthright enough with my friends to ask them for specific help. I needed an extra set of hands to help move things. I did far too much myself and became frustrated and exhaust. In my panic, I didn’t know who to call first.
I resolve to do better, therefore, for 2018, I will create a list of Who To Call in an Emergency. This will be a paper list as well as an electronic list in my phone/ipad!
Some people prefer a binder (which could also have other vital information)
See here for an example: Flylady’s Emergency checklist
My mom’s favourite place for important phone numbers was to have a sheet of paper taped to the inside of her kitchen cupboard door. That works for me!
Depending on your living situation, your list should have the numbers of:
Your emergency contact person — in case someone else needs this on your behalf.
Your next of kin contact information — this may or not be your emergency contact person
Your doctor(s)
Your pharmacy
The nearest hospital
Your dentist
Poison Control
A plumbing company
An electrical company
Your city’s hotline for city services emergencies.
An appliance repair company
Your house insurance company
A restoration company — for when you really have a disaster and need to access your insurance
A Fix-it-Person for minor repairs
A friend who lives nearby, who can get to your home quickly.
Your church/pastor/spiritual advisor
Your car repair company/car dealer
Your car insurance company
Also, add a sheet with information about your home, information that you may need in a hurry.
For example, how to quickly turn off your
Furnace
Hot Water Heater
Natural Gas
Water
You are free to tweak this list as it serves your situation but, do create a list today.
A spreadsheet file and copy-and-paste from Google and you’re done.
One more tip: Be prepared for any Financial Emergency (and annoyances)
For inevitable financial emergencies, I highly recommend setting up a Emergency Fund,
This is easily done with online banking and a small contribution per month can add up over time and literally save you when bad things happen. I call mine S***T Happens and use it for emergencies and those inevitable annoying unplanned for expenses — such as photo radar tickets.
This may feel like a lot of effort right now but in an emergency, knowing who to call first can save you precious time.
Finding yourself Suddenly Single impacts every area of your life. You are now the CEO of everything.
Prepared beats panic!
PS. I DID create a list for myself while writing this post. (Ruth)
Photo by sydney Rae on Unsplash
