Did you know that in 2019, there were nearly 400 natural disasters, compared to less than 40 in 1960?
Natural disasters are considered to be severe weather or an event that poses a threat to human health.
With global warming increasing the odds of natural disasters, you should start getting prepared.
Keep reading if you want to learn how to protect your family and home against natural disasters!
Secure Large Items
One of the best ways to protect your home from natural disasters is to secure large items.
Unsecured porches, vehicle covers, and sheds can become dangerous during extreme weather. The wind can easily pick these items up from the ground and next thing you know, they could wind up in your living room. Another reason you don’t want items pulled from the ground is that they will leave gaping holes in the yard.
Whether you deal with gale winds, hurricanes, earthquakes, or tornados, this tip comes in handy.
If you have children’s playsets, trampolines, or basketball nets, you should also secure these items. Bungee cords and bolts are some of the best resources for protecting your home and items.
Seal Windows & Doors
If your home can’t handle the weather and is letting in wind and rain, you can reseal your home.
Cold and warm air can easily enter the home around windows and doors. Caulk is the best sealant for these areas since it closes up small cracks and can be manipulated. The more moisture that gets into your home, the more likely you are to experience mold or mildew problems.
Anytime that you notice moisture entering the home, address it quickly so that mold doesn’t grow and harm your loved ones. If you don’t have caulk to seal a door or window, try using objects around the home until you can make it to the store.
Get Homeowners Insurance
No matter what type of damage control you need, homeowners insurance is the answer.
Homeowners insurance can help you cover costs when damage occurs, especially due to natural disasters. If you need a flood insurance quote, don’t hesitate to get one until the next storm. Most companies can help you before the flooding even begins!
Pay attention to your home insurance policy to ensure that it will cover flooding expenses. When disasters strike the home, they are never small. Major damage can cost thousands of dollars or even more people out of their homes.
Getting insurance will help you cover these costs so that you can rest your head at night without worrying about your home.
Buy New Garage Doors
Most people don’t realize it, but garage doors can be a risk during natural disasters.
Although these doors might seem secure when you close them, heavy winds can rip them off of the structure. Hurricanes and tornadoes most commonly damage garage doors since they build up so much pressure that it pops out.
Depending on the style you installed, most garage doors can handle wind gusts up to 130 mph.
If your garage door is already damaged, you should get a new one so that the next storm doesn’t take it out. When you can’t properly close your garage door, you need to get a new one installed, otherwise, your items inside could easily get damaged.
Bolt Your House
If you need to protect your house in an area that gets earthquakes, you should bolt your home to the foundation.
Since earthquakes have the power to wiggle a home right off of its foundation, you need to make some upgrades. A contractor can anchor bolts from your home into the sill plate of the foundation. This will help keep your home together and could save you thousands of dollars in repair.
It is also a good idea to bolt your house to the foundation if you live in an area that gets a lot of tornados. The heavy wind gusts and tornados can easily rip a home from the ground.
Use Wet Towels
Not all natural disasters come with rain and heavy wind, some come from the ground.
When you live in an area near a volcano, you should keep towels nearby. If the volcano were to erupt, it could send ash and lava into your home. Wet towels can absorb anything trying to enter your home, especially particles that could damage your lungs.
It is also a good idea to use wet towels for monsoons since they can keep the sand from getting under your door. If you run out of towels, you can use blankets and clothing.
Hang the Right Curtain
California and many other states are often at risk for wildfires.
When wildfires are a constant threat, you should get a heat-resistant curtain for the home. These curtains can help keep your family cool by reducing the heat that can enter your home through the windows. This is essential since high exposure to heat can start a fire without a spark.
Keep in mind that you should always be monitoring the outside of your home during these situations to ensure you don’t need to evacuate.
Are You Prepared for Natural Disasters?
Natural disasters often strike when people are least expecting them, which is why you need to get prepared now.
The odds of experiencing a natural disaster are continuing to increase as global warming takes effect. When it comes to getting prepared, you may need help from professional contractors, but many of these tasks can be done on your own. And after the disaster has passed, you should hire an Emergency Storm Damage Clean-Up service to make sure your place is clean and safe from debris.
Homeowners’ insurance will be a blessing if something were to happen in your area. Unfortunately, it won’t cover all costs, so make sure you secure the home in other ways. Caulk and wet towels can prevent ash or rain from coming inside, for example.
Don’t wait to make repairs to your garage or home, the next gust of wind could cause the final damage.
Be sure to check out our blog for more articles about how to protect your home and keep your family safe!
