Wherever you are on the property ladder, whether you are moving to a new home, or you have a property that you intend to keep for a long time, no matter how many different circumstances arise, there is one thing that we can’t control, the weather. The effects of weather and natural disasters on our home can end up costing us a lot financially, but also, if we end up losing our home, our lives could end up in tatters. House proofing our home, ready for disaster, can take many forms, and what are the best ways for us to make sure that we have adequate protection, but also peace of mind?
Keeping On Top Of The Superficial Problems
Looking after your home requires an understanding of the superficial problems we all get from time to time. Undertaking regular inspections of your home to keep on top of problems like cracks, and sealant wearing away, can give you that additional piece of mind. But also, it wouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg when it comes to paying for these repairs.
Be Insured Up To The Eyeballs
So many people have insurance, but tend to just have a basic policy in place. While a basic policy is beneficial, if you don’t know what it actually covers you for, especially when a natural disaster occurs, you might have been paying it for nothing! It’s much better for you to get an understanding of the cost of the most comprehensive policies that covers areas like flood damage. In making sure you are adequately covered, if you have a good quality policy in place, you will be far better covered, but you will be safe in the knowledge that if disaster does strike, that you will be professionally supported.
Have Professionals On Speed Dial
We all have preferred contractors in our immediate area, and if a natural disaster occurs, we can rely on these people to help bring our home back to normality. Companies like Restorationeaze will help clear the flooding out of your home, so you can get back on track. In addition to this, having various bits of information on how to fix superficial problems yourself gives you a far better idea in how you can paper over a crack until the professionals can get to you. For example, making sure that a fence holds together after being damaged by a storm.
Have A “Bomb Shelter”
Not in the literal sense, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea nowadays! Having somewhere to store emergency supplies is incredibly beneficial. In addition to this, making sure that you have extra bedding, tinned goods, and generally, ways to keep you surviving if you were hit by disaster, will reduce the shock. It’s beneficial to get into the “disaster mindset” so you can think what would happen in the worst case scenario, and what you would desperately need. Having additional batteries for your phone, as well as a backup generator, and a way for you to keep warm, are just a few things you need to tick off your emergency list.
Have A Backup Plan
It’s not just about protecting your home, but it’s about knowing what you can do if everything else goes wrong. If you get trapped in your home, for example, you need to think of a escape route. For example, if every room in your house is blocked, what is the best way to escape that is completely foolproof? Your garage could be one of those, so you need to be aware of how to manually release the lever for the garage door. Thinking laterally, as well as undertaking a proper inspection of the best escape routes, is the perfect way to have a backup plan in the back of your mind. It’s always best to think in this disaster mindset, and consider the worst case scenarios.
Secure The Perimeter
When thinking about securing your home, the exterior should be top of your priorities. Making sure that outdoor items are secure, from bicycles, to benches, as well as garden toys, will prevent you having further disaster or causing injury. By securing these items outside, especially during storms, this additional damage to your home could be one extra problem that you couldn’t have foreseen. Storm shutters are another way to secure the windows of your property, especially if there is a chance of debris hitting them, and storm shutters don’t cost a lot. They are incredibly sturdy, but they are also built to withstand the vast majority of wind and rain. On top of this, if you live in an area that is prone to flooding, you need an additional plan in place to stop flooding entering your home. Water barriers are one of many options, and if you have the space, having a few sandbags on standby will mean the difference between a dry home and a wet one.
Communication
If all else fails, you are going to need a way to communicate with the emergency services. If your mobile phone network is down, or there are power outages, a landline is going to be a lifesaver in this instance. The great thing about a corded landline telephone is that it is relatively immune from water damage. And most people don’t consider a landline telephone to be a priority now, but if you live in an area that is prone to disaster, this could be your lifeline to getting the emergency services to your property on time.
House proofing your home for disaster is vital, regardless of where you live in the world. But if you are in an area that is more prone to natural disasters, from hurricane, to natural flooding, you need to start thinking with a disaster mindset, so you can prepare your home accordingly, and save your family’s life in the process. The best time to begin is now, so draw up an action plan and get yourself ready. There’s no telling when a disaster could strike, and if if you’ve only got one home, if you need to protect it with all you’ve got!