Y2K - On the Home Front

submitted by Kathy Murray

While work concerns about complying with Y2K issues are all around us, I wonder if we have given much thought to how the potential disaster will affect our home lives?  There are some simple, practical steps we can all take to help keep our peace of mind and provide a more hassle-free transition into the year 2000.  The following list is from the BECU newsletter (v.3(4)):

• Create a power outage kit. If your power company experiences problems, be prepared with matches, candles, flashlights, batteries and a wind-up clock.
• Fill up your gas tank during the last week of December, 1999.
• Keep a battery-operated radio handy to listen for news developments.
• Maintain a supply of extra canned and non-perishable goods, bottled water and a non-electric can opener.
• Find out if household items will be affected. Appliances that handle date functions have the possibility of malfunctioning when the clock strikes midnight. This could include anything from personal computers to coffee makers. Call stores and manufacturers to confirm if your appliances are Year 2000 compliant.
• Keep paper records including your financial statements, medical records, insurance, stocks, and Social Security records. Don't wait until December to request paper copies.
• If you think you'll need some cash, ask yourself what you plan to do with it. If you plan to purchase food, fuel,and other goods, it is prudent to plan ahead and make purchases before year-end...Remember that there are safety issues in keeping too much cash around.

For additional year 2000 consumer information, look up the Year 2000 Information Center site [or check out the Cassandra Project site].

 

Northwest Notes / 20(1) Jan.-Mar. 1999 / April 22, 1999