Disaster Proof Your House

All home owners should take necessary precautions to disaster proof the house. It may not only help to reduce damage, it may also help save lives. The steps that you need to take to Disaster proof your house are:

• Use extra space imaginatively – Since the first casualty during a disaster is power and this can make life uncomfortable when it is too hot or too cold. Use the empty freezer space to freeze water in bags. This can be used to cool off till the power is restored.
• Do not get trapped at home during a disaster – Make a mental map of all escape routes from your house. Each and every family member should also be made aware of this. Know how the garage door can be manually operated and practice it with your family members a couple of times. Keep a fire axe handy to break down a door to escape, if the need arises.
• Ensure your house has a corded landline phone – The cordless phone may not work during an emergency and a cell phone may run out of charge. In such a situation a landline phone will be a life-saver. During an emergency, check to see if the phone is working at frequent intervals.
• Unplug the generator – Make sure the generator is located at an elevation if possible. If it is not in use, then unplug it. Water will not only damage the generator, but create the danger of shocks if the terminals get immersed in water.
• Inspect your home for safety and disaster preparedness – Make regular inspection of your home from the point of safety and disaster preparedness. If you see something wrong such as a table blocking an exit route, remove it immediately. Ensure that emergency kits are full and up to date.
• Flood Insurance – Ensure that your insurance policy is up to date and adequate for your needs. Get insurance cover for as many types of emergencies that you can afford. This will help you to minimize your losses.
• Secure outdoor structures – When a storm hits, any loose outdoor structures can cause immense damage to your house. Ensure that playground equipment, waste bins, garden seats etc. are well secured.
• Storm shutters – Installing storm shutters will prevent the wind and rain tearing through your home causing heavy damage. They do not cost a lot, but they will help prevent major damage. The risk from flying glass is also eliminated.

 A disaster can cause damage since the situation is not in your control. At least you can minimize the damage by disaster-proofing your home.