Nature is a force to be reckoned with, but with a little preparation, you can keep your home and your family that much safer. The start of a new year is the perfect time to evaluate your emergency plan and your home so that you can be better prepared in the event of a natural disaster.

The below tips will leave you with greater peace of mind.

Preparing Your Home for a Natural Emergency

Flooding

Floods are one of the most common natural disasters in the U.S. and if you find yourself in one, the first thing you want to do is seek higher ground. Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do to protect your home besides ensuring your home insurance covers flood damage. If you are at home during a flood, don’t make your way into a room that you won’t be able to get out of, an attic is one example of this. Having a sump pump is something else you can do to better prepare for flooding at home.

Hurricanes

Hurricane season can cause a lot of damage, but not if you have impact windows and doors in place. These specialized products better protect your home against heavy rain, wind, and flying debris. If you do want greater peace of mind at home, you could also create a safe room that you can your family can bunker down in until the storm has passed.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes can be frightening but knowing how to stay safe during one can make the experience a little less intense. To make your home a safer space, secure any large and heavy items so that they can’t fall over during an earthquake. Any breakable items should also be moved to lower shelves for added protection. Next, ensure that everyone in your home knows to crawl to a safe space during an earthquake – under a secure piece of furniture is best.

Tornadoes

Should a tornado be moving towards your home, there isn’t a lot that you can do to prevent damage but having impact shutters and doors in place can help. What you can also do is keep your family safe by moving into a basement or a room with little to no windows – bathrooms and your garage are two options. Never try to outrun a tornado and don’t go outside. Another way to prepare is to schedule a home inspection that can help you identify any critical repairs that are required to strengthen your home.

In Closing

Unfortunately, natural emergencies are a reality, but keeping the above tips in mind will leave you feeling more prepared and safer in your own home. If you need any impact window and door recommendations, contact G & R Impact Windows and Doors on (305) 925-0818.