Emergency ABC - Fifteen Ways to Disaster Proof Your Home

Fifteen Ways to Disaster Proof Your Home

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

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.

Insure Against Disaster Re Evaluate your Disaster Policies

Five Fire Facts for Fleeing to Safety

Importance of Water in an Emergency or Disaster

Recovery and Clean up after an Emergency or Disaster

Office Preparedness Items for your Survival Kit

Home
◦ Disability Dangers during Disasters
◦ Do You Know All Your Emergency Phone Numbers?
◦ Drafting a Medical Game Plan in Case of an Emergency
◦ Fifteen Ways to Disaster Proof Your Home
◦ Five Fire Facts for Fleeing to Safety
◦ Five Important Things to Know before Cleaning Up after a Flood
◦ Five Things to Ask Your Child's School or Daycare Provider about their Emergency Preparedness
◦ Five Things to Do to Protect Yourself during a Lightning Storm
◦ Five Things to Do When Disaster Strikes While You Are at Work
◦ Five Tips in Averting Home Fires
◦ Four Ways to Protect Your Family against Crime during an Emergency or Disaster
◦ Gassing up and Other Things to Do in an Evacuation
◦ Get Fired Up - Do You Know What to Do in a Fire?
◦ Household Hints to Live by in Preparing for an Evacuation
◦ How to Plan Your Escape Route When Disaster Strikes
◦ How to Raise Awareness for Emergency and Disaster Preparation
◦ How to Talk to Your Child about Disaster Preparation
◦ Hurricane Help - Ten Ways to Prepare for the Big Storm
◦ Importance of Water in an Emergency or Disaster
◦ Insure Against Disaster - Re-Evaluate your Disaster Policies
◦ Keep Afloat During Floods - Six Important Safety Tips
◦ Make a Plan of Action in Case of a Chemical Spill
◦ Making the best out of being stranded: When your vacation won't let you leave
◦ Office Preparedness - Items for your Survival Kit
◦ Pet Essentials - What You Need to Pack in Case of Evacuation

Home Security
◦ 3 essential steps to build a secure community
◦ 5 absolute essentials of home security
◦ 5 absolute essentials of protecting yourself from bogus callers
◦ 5 essential things to check for when you are buying a house
◦ 5 things you must never do if you want a secure home
◦ Apartment Security
◦ Computerized Home Security
◦ Home Automation System
◦ Home Security: 7 things you should never forget about.
◦ Home Security Advice
◦ Home Security Alarm Monitoring
◦ Home Security and Children
◦ Home Security and Information Security
◦ Home Security and Personal Safety
◦ Home Security and Safety
◦ Home Security Basics
◦ Home Security: Bogus Callers
◦ Home Security: Burglary Prevention
◦ Home Security Companies and Contractors
◦ Home Security Do It Yourself
◦ Home Security: Domestic Dangers