CC0 Licensed Image Courtesy of Freepik
A backup-ready home relies on a few different things if you want to get through a natural disaster in a more manageable way, especially as a family. While you can't know exactly what will happen during an emergency such as a severe storm, it never hurts your chances to be prepared. So what does this entail these days? From installing emergency back-up power systems to developing a family plan, here are some ideas that can save your lives.
Store Extra Water
Power outages are common during winter storms, and that means much-needed facilities can be out of action. This includes power, but more importantly, water. Water treatment facilities might be down, and that means you may not have access to clean drinking water. Installing emergency water tanks will ensure you have access to clean and safe drinking water when your home fails. During a disaster, anything can happen, and the last thing you want is limited water!
Power outages are common during winter storms, and that means much-needed facilities can be out of action. This includes power, but more importantly, water. Water treatment facilities might be down, and that means you may not have access to clean drinking water. Installing emergency water tanks will ensure you have access to clean and safe drinking water when your home fails. During a disaster, anything can happen, and the last thing you want is limited water!
A Back-Up Ready Home with Power
A recent survey found that only between 15% and 25% of US homes have back-up power. Disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires are common in the US, and having access to power can be a literal lifesaver. To ensure your home has power in an emergency, try these:
Buy a backup generator that runs on gasoline to keep essential appliances going.
Install a whole-home portable power station or solar-powered battery solutions.
For basic needs, consider using a car inverter to use your vehicle battery for essentials.
A recent survey found that only between 15% and 25% of US homes have back-up power. Disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires are common in the US, and having access to power can be a literal lifesaver. To ensure your home has power in an emergency, try these:
Buy a backup generator that runs on gasoline to keep essential appliances going.
Install a whole-home portable power station or solar-powered battery solutions.
For basic needs, consider using a car inverter to use your vehicle battery for essentials.
Service the Boiler Each Year
Servicing the boiler/furnace is a vital part of responsible home ownership that many people overlook. Of course, a serviced boiler allows you to catch any problems and keep it in good working order. That means it is less likely to break down during winter when you need it most for heating your home. However, it also means there are minimal chances of something terrible happening, such as deaths related to carbon monoxide leaks from a faulty boiler or furnace.
Servicing the boiler/furnace is a vital part of responsible home ownership that many people overlook. Of course, a serviced boiler allows you to catch any problems and keep it in good working order. That means it is less likely to break down during winter when you need it most for heating your home. However, it also means there are minimal chances of something terrible happening, such as deaths related to carbon monoxide leaks from a faulty boiler or furnace.
Insulate the Home's Pipes
Even though hot water passes through your home's pipes, they are prone to clogging due to frozen water. Ice in the pipes is a much bigger headache than just pressure issues, as when water freezes, it expands. This means your pipes will expand, often to the point of bursting! To combat this, pipe insulation is highly recommended as it can be enough to prevent freezing by keeping water warm. Running the water and setting the thermostat temperature will also help.
Even though hot water passes through your home's pipes, they are prone to clogging due to frozen water. Ice in the pipes is a much bigger headache than just pressure issues, as when water freezes, it expands. This means your pipes will expand, often to the point of bursting! To combat this, pipe insulation is highly recommended as it can be enough to prevent freezing by keeping water warm. Running the water and setting the thermostat temperature will also help.
Stocking Food for a Back-Up Ready Home
In the US alone, over 3 million people per year are affected by natural disasters. During an event like a severe storm, there are some essentials you will need. These include water and power continuity, but food can make the experience much more tolerable for families.
In the US alone, over 3 million people per year are affected by natural disasters. During an event like a severe storm, there are some essentials you will need. These include water and power continuity, but food can make the experience much more tolerable for families.
Stock food you will enjoy
Most natural disasters last for less than a couple of days, so you don't even need much. Stocking up on canned foods you know you will enjoy can help ease some of the tension.
Most natural disasters last for less than a couple of days, so you don't even need much. Stocking up on canned foods you know you will enjoy can help ease some of the tension.
Stock only non-perishables
Of course, food spoils! The last thing you want in a desperate situation is for your food to be inedible. Non-perishables, such as canned foods, are better than fresh fruits and vegetables.
Of course, food spoils! The last thing you want in a desperate situation is for your food to be inedible. Non-perishables, such as canned foods, are better than fresh fruits and vegetables.
Don't forget about water
It is likely that you won't have access to clean and fresh drinking water during a disaster. Stocking some water bottles is recommended, especially if you don't have an emergency tank.
While food is a lifesaver during a disaster, food you will enjoy makes a dire situation more tolerable. Of course, food that doesn't spoil is a wiser investment and is more likely to be edible than perishables. However, water is also vital as facilities can stop during a natural disaster.
It is likely that you won't have access to clean and fresh drinking water during a disaster. Stocking some water bottles is recommended, especially if you don't have an emergency tank.
While food is a lifesaver during a disaster, food you will enjoy makes a dire situation more tolerable. Of course, food that doesn't spoil is a wiser investment and is more likely to be edible than perishables. However, water is also vital as facilities can stop during a natural disaster.
Clean the Roof and Gutters
Most homeowners overlook just how important the roofing and gutters actually are to a house. The main function of these is to run water away from the structure to keep the internal and external support as dry as possible. A defective drainage system will cause problems with the beams, joists, and foundations, often to the point of very expensive replacement. However, all it takes is a quick inspection and cleaning of the roof and gutters before and after a heavy storm.
Most homeowners overlook just how important the roofing and gutters actually are to a house. The main function of these is to run water away from the structure to keep the internal and external support as dry as possible. A defective drainage system will cause problems with the beams, joists, and foundations, often to the point of very expensive replacement. However, all it takes is a quick inspection and cleaning of the roof and gutters before and after a heavy storm.
Check Your Safety Alarms
Home alarms are a massive advantage when it comes to safety. Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, and a burglar system are all common in modern homes. It is sad, but burglars can target homes during a disaster as they think no one is home, so ensuring your security systems work is a major advantage. Of course, you should check your smoke alarm weekly, and ensure your CO alarm is working often, and is situated close to sources of CO like the boiler.
Home alarms are a massive advantage when it comes to safety. Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, and a burglar system are all common in modern homes. It is sad, but burglars can target homes during a disaster as they think no one is home, so ensuring your security systems work is a major advantage. Of course, you should check your smoke alarm weekly, and ensure your CO alarm is working often, and is situated close to sources of CO like the boiler.
A Back-Up Ready Home Needs a Plan
A recent American preparedness survey found that less than 50% of US families have a plan for an emergency situation. This includes emergency funding, but also what to do during a natural disaster. If you feel you need a plan, then consider these three expert tips to stay safer:
Make a comms plan with an emergency contact, meeting places, and various methods.
Prepare a "go-bag" for each family member based on needs and what they can carry.
Practice what to do during an emergency with drills, reviews, and life-saving skills.
A recent American preparedness survey found that less than 50% of US families have a plan for an emergency situation. This includes emergency funding, but also what to do during a natural disaster. If you feel you need a plan, then consider these three expert tips to stay safer:
Make a comms plan with an emergency contact, meeting places, and various methods.
Prepare a "go-bag" for each family member based on needs and what they can carry.
Practice what to do during an emergency with drills, reviews, and life-saving skills.
Keep Good Winter Habits
Good home habits can make a difference when it comes to getting through a disaster, especially in winter. During a winter disaster like a snowstorm, for example, you may have limited resources such as firewood for warmth. Good habits, such as closing doors and opening windows for proper ventilation, can make the home more efficient. Of course, it also helps to program your thermostat to use the heating system more efficiently to save power and gas.
Good home habits can make a difference when it comes to getting through a disaster, especially in winter. During a winter disaster like a snowstorm, for example, you may have limited resources such as firewood for warmth. Good habits, such as closing doors and opening windows for proper ventilation, can make the home more efficient. Of course, it also helps to program your thermostat to use the heating system more efficiently to save power and gas.
Summary
Installing something like an extra water tank for emergencies will help you design a backup-ready home for a natural disaster. Getting through something like a power outage with your sanity can also depend on having enough food stocked up. You can also use your home much more efficiently to conserve energy with good winter habits like closing the doors.
Installing something like an extra water tank for emergencies will help you design a backup-ready home for a natural disaster. Getting through something like a power outage with your sanity can also depend on having enough food stocked up. You can also use your home much more efficiently to conserve energy with good winter habits like closing the doors.
FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love reading and responding to comments but in order to get my reply you must ensure you are NOT a no-reply blogger. If you are, here are some quick steps to change that!
1. Go to the home page of your Blogger account.
2. Select the drop down beside your name on the top right corner and choose Blogger Profile.
3. Select Edit Profile at the top right.
4. Select the Show My Email Address box.
5. Hit Save Profile.