There’s no telling when a natural disaster can strike, causing you to lose your home and everything in it in a blink of an eye. And even though there’s nothing you can do to prevent a natural disaster, there are always some actions you can take to prepare your home and your family for one. Here are some ways to keep your home and family as safe as possible during a natural disaster.
Have a plan
In case of any sort of emergency, having a plan can save your life and keep your family together. This is why it’s important that you have a family meeting and create a good action plan for such a case. Consider the area you live in and the sort of emergencies that are most probable there. One of the first things your plan should have is a meeting place, should you get separated. When a disaster happens, you don’t know if you’ll be at home or at work and if your kids will be at school. Choose a public shelter, community center or a friend or a relative’s home, but make sure it’s a place that all of you know how to find easily. Make a list of emergency contacts for each of your family members and have them both on your phones and on paper. Finally, don’t forget to include your pets in all your emergency evacuation plans.
Consider a home audit
If you want to be aware of all the damage risks on your home, you should fully evaluate its condition. Cover every part of it, from your garden and basement, all the way to your roof. Unless you know exactly how to perform a home audit, you should hire a professional to do it for you. Don’t take any risks with electrical wiring, structural issues and damaged roof, since any DIY project involving these areas can lead to a disaster of another sort. Make sure you don’t forget things like your plumbing and HVAC systems, as well as your outdoor structures, such as your shed, deck and fence. Once you know exactly what the problems are, fix them all thoroughly to improve the condition of your home. Plus, this way you can learn what the safest spot in your home is, so that you and your family know where to run to if need be.
Good insurance makes all the difference
No matter how well you secure your home, there are no guarantees when it comes to natural disasters. This is why it’s essential that you apply for home insurance for individuals as soon as possible. Find an insurance agent who will sit down with you and present all your options. What you want is an insurance that covers not only your home, but also things inside and around it. This way you’ll know you have some personal and financial safety in the event of an earthquake, fire, storm or flood with such optional covers as accidental damage or loss, and pet injury. Just make sure that you get your money’s worth and that you ensure everything that’s important to you.
Keep your important documents safe
After a natural disaster, it may take some time to get your home in order and for your community to start functioning normally again. It’s a stressful process, but what can make it far less difficult is having all your important documents on you. The main thing you should do is collect them all. It might be a good idea to make a catalogue of your belongings with photos attached to it, and then put it right next to your passports, any home-related documents, as well as receipts for the most valuable of your belongings and warranty information for them, for insurance purposes. Once everything is in one pile, put your documents in a safe, a bank deposit box or any other secure place where things like water, fire or strong winds can’t reach them.
An emergency supply kit for peace of mind
If you and your family find yourself in a situation where there’s no access to clean water, food, electricity and other services you normally take for granted, having an emergency supply kit can keep you somewhat safe and comfortable until things get back to normal. The kit should include things like canned food and water for all of you, a first aid kit, a flashlight or two with spare batteries, but also some candles and matches, just in case. A radio that works on batteries and a power bank for charging your phones can prove to be useful to, and if you have a baby, you should have enough baby supplies to last for at least three days. A couple of blankets, sleeping bags and a clean change of clothes won’t hurt either. Again, don’t forget your pet and some food and water for them as well.
Natural disasters are always horrible and scary, but thinking ahead can help greatly. So, follow these tips to protect the people and things that are most precious to you from anything unexpected that nature can serve you with.
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