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Fifteen Ways to Disaster Proof Your Home
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Articles on Emergencies | Topics: emergencies, emergency, disasters, disaster
by Quinton Erickson
Your home is most likely not only where you rest, laugh, and spend time with friends; it is also probably the largest investment you will ever make. This being true, you should always do what you can to protect your home. There are many things you can do in advance to help prepare for possible disaster. Use these fifteen tips to help you plan ahead so you can rest assure your home is as secure as humanly possible.
Windows
If you are expecting high winds or live in an area where hurricanes or tornados are common, you need to purchase wind resistance shutters. These shutters can be quickly installed to protect your windows from damage as well as the rest of the interior of the home. You can also install windows that are partial plastic, partial glass, if you are interested in a more permanent solution.
Trees
One of the biggest threats to a home in any natural disaster is the trees around it. You don't have to cut down all of the trees to protect your home however. Some trees are good for your home and will protect your home from the weather. You should however have them inspected annually and remove any diseased areas that may be prone to breaking.
Bushes
Bushes are a great way to update your landscape. They can also be perfect for added protection to a basement area. If you plant bushes around the base of your home, you will be adding a little extra "cushion" if disaster strikes.
Doors
Long before the storm hits, check your doors for safety precaution. Make sure all doors have a dead bolt lock and that the hinges are tight and secure. You may want to switch out all doors and replace them with solid wood or hollow steel varieties.
Roof
If you are in a high-risk area for hurricanes or tornados, you may want to consider getting your roof updated. Experts can add fasteners that will provide more stability. They can also add stronger shingles to help ensure your safety.
Vehicles
Many people don't think about their vehicles when trying to protect their home. You should always keep your vehicles in a garage if you think a disaster is coming. A tornado can easily pick up your car if it is on the road, making it a weapon as it falls. Deciding to keep your car in a garage helps to protect your home as well.
Tools
Many times, homeowners leave rakes, shovels, and other tools lying around the yard. To be as safe as possible, homeowners should always put their tools in a garage or a shed. When these items are left in the yard, they can act as weapons if picked up by the wind.
Emergency Kit
To make sure your family will be safe, you should add an emergency kit to your list when damage proofing your home. Include everything you think you might need, such as first aid supplies and batteries.
Shut Off Valves
| Quote of the Day |
Athletes have studied how to leap and how to survive the leap some of the time and return to the ground. They don’t always do it well. But they are our philosophers of actual moments and the body and soul in them, and of our manoeuvres in our emergencies and longings.
| —Harold Brodkey (b. 1930) |
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As part of your preparedness, be sure you clear out the areas in front of your electric, gas, and water shut off valves. You may need to get to them quickly during or after a disaster strikes.
Repair Damage
If your home has any amount of damage before a disaster, it will only be prone to more extensive damage. Be sure to repair all holes in your home long before a disaster hits.
Shelves
Inspect the areas in your home where you might be safest during a disaster. If those areas have shelves, be sure to anchor them down as much as possible.
Pet Shelter
If a pet shelter is part of your home, be sure to include it in your safety plan. You should never leave pets outdoors during bad weather. If you must leave your pet outdoors, be sure to reinforce their shelter and make it as secure and weatherproof as possible.
Smoke Detectors
Although most people never think about it, set a yearly date to change your batteries in your smoke detectors. You should have one in each room of your home and they should all work properly.
Fire Extinguishers
Every home should have at least one fire extinguisher. To be fully prepared for any disaster, you should be sure to have one handy in case of disaster.
Your Important Papers
When it comes to natural disaster, many people are left without anything, including their social security cards, birth certificate, or mortgage information. Without these things it can be difficult to try to get your life back together after a storm. To help in your disaster proofing, consider collecting important documents and putting them into a box near your door. That way, if you need to flee quickly, you can grab the box as you go. Documents such as birth certificates can also be kept in safety deposit boxes.
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