How to Protect Yourself from Mother Nature!
While mother nature gives us the beauty we see in our natural environment, she also gives us things like floods, fires and earthquakes. Any smart homeowner and renter can and should do things to protect themselves and their belongings when mother nature decides to show up unannounced and angry.
First and foremost when purchasing or renting, buy insurance. Sounds simple, but many people don't think they need insurance for their things. Or, that they don't need that insurance because that will never happen to them. While ostriches are funny when they bury their head in the sand, people are not. Don't hide from the fact that things can and do happen. Especially if you are in a high fire, earthquake or flood area. When purchasing, read your documentation, find out when the last flood, earthquake or fire was, what started it, what the frequency of it's occurrence is. You don't want to avoid purchasing your dream home if earthquake might happen, however you want to cover yourself with insurance if it happens to be a frequent occurrence. This is also true for renters. Just because your renting, don't count on a landlord or someone else to cover your belongings should the home you live in burn down. Make sure you cover yourself with renters insurance.
Another great way to lessen mother natures fury, make sure that the area around your home is cleared of all brush and debris. If you are in a high fire area, make sure your home has space around it and remove all dried weeds and grasses. Plant native plants like succulents that are less susceptible to ignite. If you are in a flood area make sure that you don't have a lot of debris around your home to ensure a swift evacuation. Look for home features such as a two story or a home with high thresholds. In earthquake areas make sure things like cabinets, book cases and pictures or art are securely fastened to the wall, many people are hurt in an earthquake not because of the home, but because of the moving objects in their home.
The last and possibly best preparation is to make sure that you have an earthquake/flood/fire kit prepared. Make sure you have all important documents in a secure place from fire and water such as a safe or safety deposit box, and that you have a plan of escape. All family members should have an escape route and a location to meet up should anyone get separated from the group. Things like extra food, water, prescriptions, flashlights and blankets should all be in your kit.
Many communities have escape plans for entire neighborhoods. Keeping track of the elderly or small children in your neighborhood is especially important in an emergency. Doing these small things to prepare yourself in case you have an emergency can save you time and heartache down the road. You may not be able to save everything, but you can help the most important- your family.
First and foremost when purchasing or renting, buy insurance. Sounds simple, but many people don't think they need insurance for their things. Or, that they don't need that insurance because that will never happen to them. While ostriches are funny when they bury their head in the sand, people are not. Don't hide from the fact that things can and do happen. Especially if you are in a high fire, earthquake or flood area. When purchasing, read your documentation, find out when the last flood, earthquake or fire was, what started it, what the frequency of it's occurrence is. You don't want to avoid purchasing your dream home if earthquake might happen, however you want to cover yourself with insurance if it happens to be a frequent occurrence. This is also true for renters. Just because your renting, don't count on a landlord or someone else to cover your belongings should the home you live in burn down. Make sure you cover yourself with renters insurance.
Another great way to lessen mother natures fury, make sure that the area around your home is cleared of all brush and debris. If you are in a high fire area, make sure your home has space around it and remove all dried weeds and grasses. Plant native plants like succulents that are less susceptible to ignite. If you are in a flood area make sure that you don't have a lot of debris around your home to ensure a swift evacuation. Look for home features such as a two story or a home with high thresholds. In earthquake areas make sure things like cabinets, book cases and pictures or art are securely fastened to the wall, many people are hurt in an earthquake not because of the home, but because of the moving objects in their home.
The last and possibly best preparation is to make sure that you have an earthquake/flood/fire kit prepared. Make sure you have all important documents in a secure place from fire and water such as a safe or safety deposit box, and that you have a plan of escape. All family members should have an escape route and a location to meet up should anyone get separated from the group. Things like extra food, water, prescriptions, flashlights and blankets should all be in your kit.
Many communities have escape plans for entire neighborhoods. Keeping track of the elderly or small children in your neighborhood is especially important in an emergency. Doing these small things to prepare yourself in case you have an emergency can save you time and heartache down the road. You may not be able to save everything, but you can help the most important- your family.
