How to Prepare Your Home for a Natural Disaster

Image from Flickr by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Californians have wildfires, Midwesterners have tornadoes, and those living on the East Coast deal with hurricanes. When it comes to all the different types of natural disasters, the list goes on and on: flooding, earthquakes, tsunamis, heatwaves, droughts, and more.

While we can’t control everything Mother Nature throws our way, we can control how we prepare. Preparing yourself, your home, and your family for a natural disaster could mean the difference between financial security or financial crisis once the storm settles.

Educate Yourself on Your Area and Natural Disasters

Knowledge is the best tool to have in your natural disaster emergency kit, so make sure you do some research on:

what type of natural disasters your area is prone to
your location’s extreme weather history
the materials your house was built with and how strong they are

You’ll also want to be very familiar with exactly what your home insurance covers. There should be no confusion when it comes to your home’s protection and what will be covered, so call your insurance company with any questions. Consider upgrading your insurance plan if you think your area is especially threatened by natural disaster.

Keep an eye on breaking weather news for your area and go with your gut. Make your own call when it comes to decisions about safety and evacuation–don’t wait for weather alerts to put your plans into action. If you feel unsafe, it’s time to prepare yourself and your home.

Know What You Own

Even the best insurance coverage in the world can’t save you if you can’t prove the value of your possessions lost in a natural disaster. Collect serial numbers for gadgets, details on all your home’s furnishings, and any receipts for upgrades you’ve made to your home.

Take pictures of your home and possessions both before and after the disaster so you’ll have no problem taking advantage of your insurance claims. You might even qualify for federal aid or charity after a disaster, but it all starts with keeping a detailed inventory of what you own.

Create a Family Plan

Make an emergency plan for your home and family so everyone will know what to do if disaster strikes. Keep an emergency supply kit in your home so you can leave in a moment’s notice if you have to.

Many people don’t realize that making a natural disaster emergency plan is just another part of responsible home ownership, and unfortunately many people don’t think about it at all. But taking just these few extra steps could mean saving your home and possessions from a natural disaster, and it could even mean preserving the safety of your family. Make a plan now so that even if disaster strikes, you’ll be ready to protect your family and their financial security.

Jasmine Dyoco is a fan of crossword puzzles, gardening, books on tape, learning (anything!) and fencing. She truly enjoys the work she does with Educator Labs and hopes you’ll stop by the site to learn more!