How to Keep Your Home Protected During a Natural Disaster

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

 
No matter where you live in the world, you’re always going to be at risk of a natural disaster. They’re natural, they just happen. Even if you’re moving into a new home, you’re still going to be prone to being a victim of a natural disaster at one point in your life or another. While yes, the idea of yourself, your family, and even your home getting affected by a natural disaster is completely terrifying, it’s just a natural occurrence.

While there are some other areas of the world that are going to be more affecting by natural disasters (think of California and its droughts, wildfires, and earthquakes) there are other areas that may not be so likely affected. But none the less, every home should prepare for this. So, here is everything you need to know about protecting your home from natural disasters.

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How to Get Prepared for Natural Disasters in Your Home

When natural disasters strike, the first thing to do is to evacuate. But, this can’t always happen, right? Some natural disasters you simply can’t prepare for, such as an earthquake, while others can be easily more prepared in advance. While it’s true most people will be in their homes during a natural disaster, you’ll need to use discretion on what you think is best. Some of the most common natural disasters in the United States include hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes. But with climate change, this could mean that more can happen, besides, the US is so big that other areas can also deal with disasters like floods or fires.

The best way to prepare for a natural disaster is by building an emergency kit, no matter where you are, having this is going to help. You can also make sure that you have a plan in place for your home and family before it’s too late. If you live in a region that is prone to natural disasters, make sure you have an emergency kit ready and know the steps you need to take when an emergency strikes. Here are some additional helpful tips:

- Make a family emergency plan: This plan should include the names of your family members and how to contact them in case of an emergency.

- Plan for the worst scenario: If you know that you will be away from home during a disaster, make sure that someone can stay with your pets or move them to a safer place.

- Have an evacuation plan: This plan should include the route you will take out of the area and where you will go after leaving.

But, even if you and your family evacuate to safety from a natural disaster, you’re going to need to look into ways to still keep your home fully safe and protected while you and your family seek out safety somewhere else. It’s important to find ways to protect your home and belongings well in advance before a natural disaster happens.
Get a Contractor to Review Your Reconstruction Plans

The role of a contractor in this process is to provide feedback on the reconstruction plan and give suggestions for improvement. This helps the company to get more accurate and detailed information about the project. A contractor can be anyone with an interest in construction, engineering, architecture, or design-related fields.

The person should be well-versed in construction terminology, have experience with similar projects, and be able to communicate effectively with others on the team. There are contractors for about anything, besides, other than fixing up things, they need to be hired just to inspect your home too. For instance, you may need a roof repair in the very near future without you even realizing it. So review your home, and talk to a contractor.
 
Use a Flood Insurance Agent for Help for Your Home

A flood insurance agent is a professional who helps people with property and personal insurance. They help homeowners and business owners select the right coverage for their needs. Flood insurance agents offer assistance through consultations, and many do not work on commission. They are typically independent contractors who work from home and have the option to choose their own hours.

You may only need to look into this type of insurance only if you live in a wetland or live close to a body of water. If you live in a desert, for instance, you’re not going to need this. Flooding is a common problem in homes and can cause severe damage to your property. While yes, having flood insurance can help, it’s important to protect your home from floods. These are some helpful tips:

- Keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case of an emergency

- Install water-resistant floorings such as tile or wood

- Install a sump pump system to prevent flooding from occurring

- Have sealed doors and windows, especially for the basement

While these tips are bare bones, this is essentially what contractors will recommend to you as well. A pumping system alone can be a great investment to prevent floods, especially if the flood is caused by too much rain.

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Prepare Your Home for a Hurricane or Tornado

While Hurricanes can last for days, even weeks on end, tornadoes usually just last for several hours. However, both are incredibly dangerous and have been known for completely demolishing homes. The hurricane season officially starts on June 1st and continues through the end of November. It is important to take precautions and make sure you are prepared for when a hurricane strikes.

Tornadoes, on the other hand, can technically happen any time of the year but are more prevalent during the summer and spring seasons. While hurricanes hit the coast, a tornado can basically hit anywhere from flat lands, to waters, to even mountains. So, this is one that you’re going to want to be on the lookout for. This can include getting home insurance that covers severe weather but this includes looking into a strong glass for your windows.
 
Protect your Home from Earthquakes and Volcanoes

Earthquakes and volcanoes are two of the most destructive natural disasters. They can cause a lot of damage to your home, so it's important to take precautions. While earthquakes can happen anywhere around the world, the same can’t be said about volcanoes. So, fortunately, this just may be one less thing you have to worry about when protecting your home from natural disasters. More or less, the tips for both are going to be the same, but, if you live near volcanoes (which isn’t too likely as they’re in national parks), such as Mount St. Helens, then some of these tips may not be the most helpful.

1) Install a ground-breaking system

2) Build a sturdy foundation

3) Seal the chimney and the roof

4) Install water tanks in case of fire

5) Secure loose objects such as bookshelves, picture frames, etc.

When it comes to earthquakes, you just don‘t know when they’re going to happen so you’re basically going to be limited on what you can do. But protecting some of the things in your home can vastly help.
 
Consider Ways to Insulate Your Home From the Cold

As the temperature drops, it's important to take steps to protect your home from the cold. The first step is to insulate your home with a thicker layer of insulation. This will help keep your home warm and comfortable during the winter months. Another idea is to install heating ducts in areas that are difficult to reach. This will allow you to heat up these areas without having to use a lot of energy or work harder. Lastly, you can also keep your windows closed during the day and open at night when the temperature drops below freezing.

This will help trap heat inside while still allowing fresh air in at night when it's cold outside. All of this seems pretty basic, right? Well, freezing temperatures, especially from blizzards and ice storms are a thing. All throughout the US, Canada, and other countries, people have sadly passed away from major winter storms. So, you’re going to need to ensure that your home is well insulated on the off chance that there is a winter storm.
 
Maintain a Backup Generator for Your Home

Backup generators are a necessity for any home. It is important to have one in case of an emergency. There are many ways to buy a backup generator, but the most common way is to buy it from an online store. This is where you will find some of the best deals on backup generators for your home. You can also find some of the best brands like Generac, Honda, and Brigg s& Stratton at homeware stores. Having a generator, especially during the winter seasons can be great. If you have a warm home, then it’s less likely that your pipes will burst. Plus, in terms of survival, it’s just best to have one anyway.
 
Start Preparing Now For When It Happens

You’re going to need to use your discretion and figure out what may or what may not happen in your area. You should also look into past natural disasters within that area. If something has happened before, it can happen again. Plus, climate change among us only proves that it can be more likely for it all to happen too.




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