How to Prepare Your Home For a Natural Disaster

We live far enough north in the United states where a legitimate natural disaster is actually kind of rare. However, even here, it does happen and even this summer we saw 90 mile an hour straight line winds which is pretty serious! I never thought we would be in line for a wild fire either but just a few years ago we had pass by within just a couple of miles of our house. One thing I’ve always done is keep nothing on our computers or phones but have all of our pictures and important documents out on cloud servers instead. Besides that our passports, birth certificates etc. we keep in a safe so if some terrible did happen, we ‘re prepared!

(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)

With so many renovations done to the house and so many hours put in working hard to make everything look right, you are going to want to protect your home at all costs. Simply thinking you have done all you can do and the house is made of durable materials is not enough. There is a great checklist to have on you at all times so that if you are threatened by snow, rain, hurricanes, or wildfires, you are and your home will stand a chance at withstanding the elements of nature. Here is how to prepare your home for a natural disaster.

Check Your Doors and Windows

Doors and windows are the entryway into your home, and if they are not secured then a natural disaster can walk right in. If you live in a hurricane prone area, flying debris and high winds can crash through your windows and rip your doors off their hinges. Take the time to reinforce these two important areas by checking to see if they need an upgrade.

Inspect and see if you should buy new doors or windows or if they just need to be reinforced with new door jambs or if windows need to be reinstalled correctly. The stronger these areas the better for your home. If you know a storm is approaching go out and buy plywood and nails to cover doors and windows so that they won’t break and your home will be secure. 

Check Siding

Another vulnerable area of your home that can be greatly affected by natural disasters is your siding. Not every home has siding, but if your home does, do a yearly check to make sure everything is nailed down and secure. In the event of a major thunderstorm or hurricane, a strong gust of wind can get under a loose piece of siding and the wind will tear off large chunks of your home. 

Siding that is being propelled at a dangerously high speed can cause damage to other areas of your home, or can cause damage to your neighbors’ homes. Take the time to secure all siding to ensure your home stays safe and the neighborhood stays safe. 

Check Roofing

Just like siding, roofing also needs to be nailed down and securely in place. Not only do you not want the expense of having to buy and install new roof tiles with a roofing expert, but you also want to keep your home protected from heavy rains and snows. If you live in a blizzard area, high winds in blizzards can damage your home just as much as high winds from a rainstorm. 

If water gets in under your roof tiles, a leak can form in your roof and cause water damage to your home. Remember: water damage is irreversible. Once water damages wood or anything else in your home, you cannot fix it. Check your roof once or twice a year and make sure it is ready to withstand the wrath of Mother Nature. 

Prune Trees and Shrubbery

For those whose homes are located in areas that are prone to wildfires, take the time to prune trees and shrubbery to avoid the spread of fire close to your home. Too much vegetation around your home can be fuel for fire and bring the fire closer to your house and closer to your family. 

Once or twice a year, call a tree expert and have them come to your home and prune everything around your home. If possible, keep all trees and shrubs at least ten feet from your home to keep fires at bay. Keep branches trimmed short and neat, and keep shrubs small and contained. 

Water Your Lawn

This is a small way you can keep wildfires away from your home. Dry vegetation is kindling and will burn up in a matter of seconds. If your lawn is dried out, your trees, or your shrubs dried out, fire will have no problem finding your house. Take the time to water your lawn and vegetation so that they won’t catch on fire. 

Some areas have watering restrictions which you must abide by, but if you are not under a water restriction, take the time once a day to turn on a sprinkler, use the hose, or use a sprinkler system to keep your lawn lush and green and full of moisture in order to protect your house. 

Plant Fire-Retardant Plants

For those in the wildfire zone, there are plants you can plant that won’t catch on fire. A lot of people think their home doesn’t look inviting if there isn’t some kind of landscaping near the house. If you are one of those people, you are in luck because there are several plants that are available to you. 

Plants that won’t catch fire are aloe, Roserock, ice plant, and sumac. If you want to plant fire-resistant trees, you can plant maple poplar or cherry trees because they are harder to catch on fire. These plants are gorgeous and will make your home look great while protecting it. 

Know Where your Gas and Electric Lines Are Located

For some homeowners this is easy while for others it may not be. In the event of a natural disaster, you may have to evacuate your home, and before doing so, you may have to turn off the utilities to your house in order to prevent further damage. In order to do this, you must know where your gas and electric lines are located in your home so that you can flip the master switch to turn them off.

If you don’t have electricity or gas going to your house then you reduce the risk of fire or explosion. If you live in a close neighborhood, what goes on in your house could affect another house. Know where these lines and switches are so that you keep everyone safe. 

Get Home Insurance

Finally, get homeowners insurance for your home so that if your house sustains any kind of damage, you are covered and you can get the necessary money you need to fix your home fast and get back to your life. Without insurance you are not protected and anything that happens to your home will have to come out of your own pocket.

Homeowners insurance can be bought for a relatively low price and you will have the basic coverage that you may need to keep your home safe. If you can afford a higher premium and you want the ultimate in coverage for your home you can do that as well. Shop around and see what you can afford and get yourself and your things covered today.

Have a Plan

With everything in life, you are going to need to make a plan for when a natural disaster strikes. Have emergency items stocked, have the car charged or fueled, if you can’t get out, make sure you have food and supplies, and make sure your entire family is on the same page so that everyone knows what to do and where to go to stay safe. 

Conclusion

This list will help keep your home safe from natural disasters, and in the long run, should not cost you a lot of money. A lot of check-ups you do on your home can last decades and you never have to worry about them again. Yearly items, like watering your lawn, are free. With a little bit of effort, you can make huge changes that will keep you safe no matter what.

(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)