Allstate working with local fire departments to help prepare residents for disasters

As the weather begins to turn and warmer temperatures start to show, fire risks are rising.

According to information from the Insurance Information Institute, Idaho ranks fifth in the nations in terms of homes at high or extreme risk of wildfire. The Gem State also ranks second in the nation by the percentage of homes at high or extreme risk with 26 percent. Only Montana, at 28%, was higher.

In an attempt to help keep people safe and prepared, Allstate Insurance is donating $25,000 to the American Red Cross of Greater Idaho and teaming up with local fire departments to give away 1,500 disaster kits.

“The reason we’re doing that is 85 percent of the people aren’t prepared, American’s aren’t prepared,” Don Bates of Allstate said.

The free kits are not designed to be the only thing you and your family will need in a time of disaster, but they are supposed to give you a good place to start by outlining some of the things that are typically useful.

Things like flashlights, whistles, fire blankets and water bottles among the items included.

“The water bottle is to remind you that you need a gallon of water, per day, per person,” Bates said.

The kits have been pretty popular since Allstate first started handing them out. In fact, some of the Allstate offices in Pocatello have already run out of kits.

At the end of the day, the kits themselves won’t keep you safe. Rather, they serve as a reminder.

“This kit isn’t meant to be exclusive, but if you take one of these home and you’re looking at it and going through it you’re going to be going okay, this preparedness kit is great but I need more things for my family,” Bates explained.

“I think it’s a really good way to make people aware and prepared and ask them, maybe, hopefully, to take the next step to be even more prepared.”