As we are approaching severe weather season, its a good time to check to see if you are prepared. Do you know what to do when a tornado warning comes along, a wildfire or even a flood? Have you thought of how well your home is protected in these circumstances?
What’s evident from recent news coverage is that priority one should be getting yourself and your loved ones safe, but priority two is making sure your home is as prepared as it can be. Here a few scenarios and things you can do.
Emergency Kit
In all scenarios, it’s important to make sure you keep abreast of all developments and follow the guidance of government officials. Make sure you have a family communications plan ready so that when things get going, you can reach your loved ones and ensure everyone gets to safety.
You also want to make a ready kit that will ensure you last at least 3 days. Don’t overdo it, you just need enough to make sure you are OK until help can reach you. You can find many help kit checklists online, and most will advise having water, food (usually canned), a can opener, emergency chargers, a radio, flashlights, a first aid kit, a whistle, means to clean yourself and dispose of waste, maps, and some basic tools.
Wildfires
With the risk of wildfires increasing each year, it’s essential that you keep the area around your house tidy. Ideally, you will have no trees near the home from which a fire can jump over to your roof for example. Try avoiding having anything that can function as fuel (such as coal, fireplace wood or gas canisters) in large quantities bundled together.
Flooding
Water damage can completely destroy a home, so when there are flood warnings, it seems like a futile exercise. You can however still prep your home for it. If you live in an area which is at risk of flooding, consider making sure electrical socket and switches are high off ground level. Consider basement waterproofing to ensure the foundations of your house will survive. If you can, anchor stuff you can’t move.
Tornado
To reduce the dangers of a tornado, you might want to assess what your safe room will be. What you are looking for is something as compact and sturdy as possible. A storm cellar or basement is usually a prime location for this, but alternatively, you will want to find an interior room or hallway on the lowest possible floor a good option.
Even if you live in a high-rise building, the same rules apply, a small interior room or hallway and the lowest possible floor. Once you identified the best place, it will be prudent to look for additional reinforcements for that room and make it into a safe room. The aforementioned ready kit should be stored here as well. Additionally, you can invest in sturdy storm shutters.
Protection
Also be aware that regular home insurance won’t cover things like wildfires, flooding, and tornados.
Find yourself a coverage that does this. Regardless of how well you have prepared yourself and your home, you don’t want a financial disaster to follow a natural one.
I hope some of these tips you can use in your own home situation and better prepare for a natural disaster that may happen in your area.
Thanks for stopping by today.
