How To Prepare For Emergencies Part 3

This post follows two earlier posts by Your Huntsville Real Estate Resource;  

How To Be Prepared For Emergencies In Your New Home  Part 1

How To Be Prepared For Emergencies In Your New Home Part 2

This is the last in my series of how to prepare for emergencies in your new home by taking extra measure protecting your investment, your home and your safety.  Surviving a disaster is just the first part.  Recovering from a disaster may take much longer and requires more advance planning. Begin by designing your home for survival. The following are a few suggestions beyond the basics that will increase your chances of survival and being prepared for most emergencies.

Preparing for Damage

Hurricanes - inspect areas of your home for possible construction deficiencies.

What can be done to strengthen your roof?  Is reinforcing windows and doors an option? How about that large surface area garage door?  Some manufacturers offer kits to retrofit your garage door for more stability.

Tornadoes Bring High Winds and Hail

Knowing the type of roof you have and its impact resistance may help you determine what improvements can be made or simply know the kind of damage you could sustain will help you prepare financially for possible damage.

A landscaping assessment should be made for potential damage by large trees too near the house.  Something as simple as changing out rock or gravel landscaping for mulch or wood chips could help to prevent damage from those harder unforgiving objects hitting your home, windows etc.

Consideration should be given to your furniture location and its sturdiness as a possible shelter.  Move furniture away for doors and windows you have time before a storm.

Flooding often accompanies Storms

The same applies here regarding your roof inspection.  If you buy a home in a flood prone area anything you can do to make sure your yard is properly graded will help.  Consider waterproofing sealers for basement walls.  A plumber should be consulted about installing check valves in sewage lines to prevent back up into the house and any other options available to you.

Earthquake

Earthquakes present their own unique hazards, but some of the basics still apply.  Your roof, walls and foundation should be checked for soundness.  Also, the homes brickwork, chimney and any other area of concern.  Some suggest the home be bolted to its foundation.  Fasten appliances and heavy furniture to the floor or wall where practical and heavier objects should be placed on lower shelving in your home.  Follow the Drop, Cover and Hold On instructions.  The family needs to know what to do.  Locate secure furniture where children can crawl under.  I'm sure residents of California could add a lot to this section. 

Fire

Install smoke alarms on each level of your home, usually the best placement is just outside of sleeping rooms.  Perform regular (monthly) battery tests and change twice yearly.  A good reminder would be at the time change.  Possibly create a map or floor plan with windows and doors marked that can be escape routes.  Actually practicing exiting windows will make you and other family members more familiar with the process.  An escape ladder for upper floors is a great option.  And don't forget to have a designated meeting place where family can meet once outside.

Insurance

Your standard homeowners' insurance doesn't cover all damage caused by natural disasters.  Tornadoes tend to be, but flooding, hailstorms or earthquakes may not be.  Consult your insurance agent about your options of increased coverage.

Rainy Day Fund

How to prepare for emergencies should include a rainy day fund.  Thinking that one of these disasters won't happen to you could easily place you in financial dire straights should something happen.  Don't risk losing all you've worked for or put into your home by not having a fund set aside for what could happen.  Knowing the risk of damage you have given your locale will help you understand the possible future costs should the worst come to pass.

Community Preparedness

Know the services offered in your community and possible classes available to help you learn how to prepare for emergencies.  Get involved with the American Red Cross, learn CPR, first aid.  Many community centers provide training to prepare for emergencies.

Adapted from content originally published at....http://nicktpappas.com/?p=2174

image courtesy stuart miles/freedigitalphotos.net

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