Being prepared is perhaps the most
important factor when disaster strikes. Depending on your geographical
location, you may have never been in a natural disaster. Others, in regions
prone to hurricanes, violent storms, or earthquakes, have plenty of experience.
No matter what your experience level is, though, taking care of a few simple
tasks should make you a master of preparedness in no time. When planning for a
disaster of any kind, two your top priorities should be getting to know your
area better and purchasing the appropriate type of home insurance. In spite of
what you may think, your standard home insurance may not cover specific types
of natural disasters, such as floods or hurricanes.
Get to know your particular city and
region. Look at government maps that show flood-prone areas or check to see if
you are anywhere near water. That quiet stream in your neighborhood could turn
into a roaring river with enough rainfall. If you are new to an area, you may
not realize that there are frequent storms. Areas like the southeastern United
States are known for hurricanes and strong twisters. New England residents face
nor’easters and the occasional tropical disaster, such as hurricanes or strong
cyclone systems. New disaster threats may come as unexpected surprises for new
residents, so be sure to do your homework.
While they are one of the most violent and
destructive natural disasters, hurricanes offer a fairly long period of warning
when compared to earthquakes or tornadoes. If you live near a coastal area, you
should keep a hurricane kit within reach in order to prepare your home. Install
strong shutters on your exterior windows. If this is not possible on your home,
have a professional attach bolts to the exterior of your home around windows.
Keep precut sheets of plywood ready. Make sure these plywood sheets are fitted
with holes that match your window bolts. If and when a hurricane rolls in, this
makes protecting your windows and interior of your home much easier. Also, keep
a list of large objects in your yard or your neighbors’ yard that might go
airborne in a hurricane. This includes dog houses, garden fixtures, and lawn
furniture. Be sure to move these items inside in the event of a storm.
Everything can quickly start moving with
the ground becomes shaky and unstable. If you live in an area that is at risk
for quakes, get a local professional to do a walkthrough of your home. Make
sure that all potential falling objects are bolted down. Fix heavy items,
especially, to shelves and bookcases. Be particularly mindful of heavy
furniture or art that might fall into your bed. Bolt all furniture to the wall,
and have a plumbing professional make sure that the fixtures around your hot
water heater are loose enough to withstand some movement.
Fires can race through a home in a matter
of minutes, causing untold amounts of damage. Be sure to install fire alarms
throughout your home and to use carbon monoxide detectors if you have gas
power. Check your fire alarms at least once a month to be assured that they are
in working order. Keep a fire extinguisher handy in any room where flames could
start. This means the kitchen, a living room that contains a fireplace, or your
bedroom if you often use candles. See about having a sprinkler system installed
if you are building a new home, since they can protect houses from structural
damage.
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About the author:
Kate
Simmons is a freelance journalist and occasional blogger currently writing on
behalf of InsuranceTown.com.
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