Living in an area that’s prone to experiencing natural disasters can be disheartening and financially damaging. You have to constantly plan to replace some parts of your home – or all of it in some cases – whenever there’s a storm, hurricane, flood, or any other disaster.
Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce damage and cut the losses, like getting a home insurance policy that covers such disasters. That way, you won’t have to pay out of your pocket for damage. But even with the right insurance, you can further cut losses by taking a few simple steps to reinforce your home. This article explains how to prepare your home when there’s a natural disaster on the horizon.
1. Strengthen Windows and Doors
Don’t wait until the storm hits before taking steps to protect yourself and the house. The best time to prepare is before it hits, so ensure you reinforce the windows and doors of your home. During a tornado or hurricane, the door or window can break loose and fly off, causing injury or extensive damage within the house. Apart from the injury they cause, they will leave a gaping hole in the areas where they used to be.
If you live in an area like St. Petersburg in Florida, which is vulnerable to natural disasters, taking this step should be second nature. Finding St Petersburg window replacement services is not difficult because you only need to search online, and you’ll find businesses offering the services in your area. The same applies to door replacement services; some window replacement services also work on doors.
Another option is to board up the doors and windows. If you’re unable to contact any services or the storm hits without much warning, use plywood to secure these areas and prevent damage or injury when the storm hits.
2. Set Up Sandbags
If your home area experiences a lot of storms, sandbags can be lifesavers. They can keep the water out of the house, preventing flooding that way. You already know the spaces where water is prone to flood, so use the sandbags to create a barrier and push the water back. It helps to prepare these items ahead, long before there’s any storm warning.
You can get and store them in your garage or shed until you need them. That way, they are always handy when there’s a storm. Have enough to allow you to stack them as high as one foot or more, depending on the part of the house. Check all the doors and other entrances that may allow water into your home and protect them with the bags until the storm passes.
3. Prune Trees and Branches
One of the most important things to do when preparing your home for a natural disaster is to prune trees around the house. While they offer many benefits, trees can be your enemy in a storm, hurricane, or tornado. This is especially true of large trees with huge branches.
Tall trees with overhanging branches can poke through windows during a storm, causing personal and structural damage. If such trees are tall enough that they reach above the roof, they may damage the roof and cause even more damage. The best step is to prune the trees whenever there’s a warning about an approaching storm; don’t wait until the disaster is close before cutting off the branches that will cause the most damage.
Ask your neighbors with large trees to prune theirs if the branches cross the property line and are a danger. You may not have to worry so much if the trees are not too close to the house, whether on your property or your neighbor’s. But it helps to constantly prune them, especially if the area is fire prone. Dry branches and foliage easily ignite and can be a potential fire hazard if not handled carefully.
4. Fasten Heavy Items to Walls
Another key step to take to keep everyone safe in a natural disaster is to fasten heavy items to walls. Disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes can move furniture and appliances, no matter how heavy they are. Because of this, they are a hazard to everyone, especially children and pets.
To prevent this, secure heavy items like movable dressers and refrigerators using sturdy brackets and ensure they are stable. Keep children and pets away from the area when the disaster hits and remove valuable items to prevent damage in case the heavy objects move. The brackets usually work in securing them, but you still need to take other safety measures.
5. Have a Plan and an Emergency Kit
Some already know the drill but for those who are new to the block, having an emergency kit and following an evacuation plan are important to ensure safety and survival. Such a kit may prove to be the difference between survival and loss of lives. It must include essentials like water and medication.
You can also add non-perishable foods to sustain everyone while help is on the way. Sometimes, these disasters cause extensive damage to cut off water and power for long periods. The damage may also mean rescuers and first responders can’t reach you for days. Therefore, such a kit comes in handy in those situations.
It also helps to have radios for alerts and chargers to keep phones powered if evacuation plans and other key documents are stored in them. If that’s not feasible, such documents should be handy in paper format and kept dry. In addition, there should be regular training for evacuation and locating supplies in case you’re separated from others.
6. Tie Outdoor Furniture Down
In some cases, a house will have outdoor furniture. Houses with patios or porches will have some chairs and tables and they must be secure before the storm hits. Consider moving them to a secure place to prevent damage.
But if they can’t be moved, tie them down for safety. Ensure no loose items lie around in the patio, porch, or yard. Move what can be moved and take them inside long before the storm arrives to prevent structural damage to your property or that of those living around you. You can find more information on preparing for a house for a storm here.
Final Words
There are several ways to ensure your house is ready before a storm or other disasters hit. Reinforce the windows and doors with plywood or replace them with wind-resistant options, create a water barrier using sandbags, prune trees with heavy branches, and prepare an emergency kit.
You can also find out where the power and water lines are; turn them off when there’s a disaster to reduce potential damage. Remember that home insurance goes a long way in saving costs, especially when you have a lot of repairs.
