(Newswire.net — October 10, 2019) — Natural disasters can be earthquakes, floods, bushfires, and many other destructive events. The number of natural disasters has been on the increase since 1940. It may be because there are more reports these days, or because they actually are occurring more. Whatever the reason, it’s a worrying fact.
They are more prominent in some countries than others, and the US seems to suffer from a wide range of disaster. Whatever kind of danger zone live in, whether it be tornadoes, floods, or something else, there are a few steps you can take to make sure you will be as safe as possible in your own home.
Sturdy Materials
Homes these days are made from a wide range of materials. If you are living by the beach, a wooden hut may seem like a great idea, but it’s not very practical. A hurricane could blow it to pieces, and a massive tide could do a lot of irreversible damage.
Making sure your house is built from strong materials will mean that it can withstand more of what nature has to throw at it. If you are constructing your own home or buying one, you need to take a long hard look at what it’s made from, especially if you live in an area prone to natural disasters. You don’t want to lose everything for being careless.
Excellent Roofing
The roof of the house is one of the first things to go in a strong tornado or hurricane, and other disasters can cause a lot of damage and leave holes. Once a home has holes in the roof, it has bigger problems.
The Toronto Roofing Company state that ‘when water begins to penetrate inside, it is a serious problem that can impact the home’s building envelope and lead to health and safety concerns.’ Further issues to fix are not what any homeowner wants. Having the best roof in place before any disaster is the best way for prevention.
Strong Foundations
Foundations are the most significant deciding factor on a homes overall strength during a disaster. In an earthquake, it can mean your house will stand its ground or crumble to the floor. During a tornado, it can make the difference of your home being blown away or not.
Checking this factor when buying a home is crucial. If building your own home in a high-risk area, make this a priority.
Repair Cracks and Holes
Over the years, small holes and cracks can appear all over the house. This makes the home weaker and can lead the way to moisture getting inside and doing a lot of irreversible damage.
Do a sweep of your home to check for anything that needs to be repaired. This will mean that your home is better protected. The most important places you need to be sealed extra tight are windows and doors. Both stop water from getting inside and help avoid shattering in a storm or quake.
Homeowners Insurance
This isn’t a way to stop the disaster from affecting your home, but it can help you recover from the damage if it happens. Having an excellent insurance policy in place will give you peace of mind. Even if your house is brought to the ground, or suffers a lot of damage, insurance will cover your home.
You will need to shop around for a good deal and one that gives the most protection. Do be aware that if you live in a disaster-prone area, you may well be paying more for this type of insurance than elsewhere. It’s worth it, though.
Stay Safe
Wherever you live, and whatever kind of disaster has the potential to damage your home, make sure you take a few steps to protect your home and your family. Be sure that your home is as secure as it can be, and an excellent insurance policy will protect everything in the case of a real emergency. Stay safe wherever you are.