So, once you’ve got a beautiful home for yourself, the next step ought to be getting your home ready for emergencies. This will help you to be ready in case anything goes wrong. The best time to prepare your home is before any natural calamity as storm or hurricane strikes.
Here are some steps that you can take to ensure the safety of your family and your precious home :
Prepare Your Home :
You need to inspect your roof to make sure that it is in great condition. Make sure that you repair loose screws and shingles. Clean the gutters to ensure that water has a clear path and can drain as quickly as possible. You also need to get rid of overhanging branches and trim the trees near your home.
If the power goes out, you need to unplug your electronics and switch off the air conditioning. Doing so will prevent damage when the power comes back and there is a power surge. You need to leave at least one lamp on so that you can know when the power comes back. If you have exterior lighting fixtures, you should consider covering them up to prevent damage when it floods .
If there is a flood warning, you need to store your dry food items in waterproof containers to prevent them from going bad. If you receive an advanced warning, you should freeze the items that you will not be using right away and stock them in your freezer. Once the power goes out, you should refrain from opening and closing your freezer to keep cold air from escaping.
General Preparations :
Check your insurance – make sure that your car, belongings, and home insurance policies are current and cover your belongings sufficiently. Ensure that your insurance policy includes the disposal and cleaning up of debris. This ensures that you will not spend your own money on repairs.
Identify the strongest room – you need to figure out which room is the strongest in your home in case you require shelter during a bad storm.
Pack a Go Bag :
If you need to leave the house quickly, you should have a bag ready to go. You should consider packing the following:
- Three days worth of water and food
- Battery-operated radios and flashlights
- Regional maps
- First aid kits
- Extra batteries
You should also keep a smaller kit that includes flashlights and snacks at your workplace. Once you pack your supplies, you should keep them nearby to make them easier to grab if you are leaving in a hurry.
Make an Action Plan :
When things become chaotic, you need to make sure that everyone in your family knows what to do. You need to choose two meeting places where you can assemble and take shelter if things get bad. It also pays to have the right contacts in case your phone runs out of juice or the power goes out in the entire neighbourhood.
Keep a copy of emergency numbers in your wallet and another one in your emergency kit. In case the local lines get jammed, you should figure out a way to stay in touch with your friends and relatives. Even when phone lines are jammed, text messages usually go through.
After the Emergency
Coming home after a disaster is daunting because you do not know what you will find. You have to start clearing the debris and dirt before you look for water damage. Having the contacts of home restoration companies such as Restoration Elite comes in handy.
The above tips will come in handy if you need to prepare yourself for an emergency. Being ready for any eventuality will help to mitigate damage and keep you safe.
