No homeowner wants to have their home affected by a natural disaster. Natural disasters and storms can come unexpectedly and shake up your whole routine, but there are some ways to help prepare your home to avoid some damage.
If you have experienced a natural disaster and need restoration to your home, Sawyer Restoration can help. We have worked with flooding, fire, tornado or wind, mold, and other damage to a home and know how to clean and repair to get the home back to looking its best.
1- Update Your Emergency Kit
While this tip will not help protect your home, this will prepare your family for when something might occur. Good emergency kits can help you experience less panic in an unknown situation and can help keep your family safe and healthy if you do need to evacuate or stay locked in your home during an emergency.
Some good ideas to have in an emergency kit are bandaids, first aid items, clean clothes, layers, warm socks and shoes, non-perishable snacks, and toiletries.
2- Reinforce Doors And Windows
If you live in an area with hurricanes or tornadoes, reinforcing doors and windows will help keep them from flying off and causing more damage or injury. There are also wind-resistant doors and stormproof shutters that can help your home stay intact. If you are expecting a storm, you can board up windows and doors with plywood for a temporary solution.
3- Secure Heavy Furniture To Walls
In the event of an earthquake, large furniture pieces can move or fall over on top of other furniture or even members of your family. Large entertainment centers, TVs, artwork, dressers, and other overhead and oversized furniture should be secured to the wall to help prevent them from falling over as easily.
4- Create An Evacuation Plan
In the event of an emergency, people can get discombobulated and struggle to know what to do. If your family has a clear emergency plan and evacuation plan, then everyone will know what to do. If your home is on multiple levels, it may be best to create a few evacuation plans to account for multiple circumstances.
Creating a plan for what to do with household items, pets, and how to find each other if you are separated, is also a smart idea. Emergencies are unpredictable, so having a plan can help prevent panic.
5- Install A Sump Pump and Generator
Installing a sump pump can be a great prep tip if you live where hurricanes or flooding are common. Sump pumps can help pump water back outside and keep your basement and other electrical components like your water heater and washer and dryer, dry and undamaged.
Generators can help you have limited power for cooking, heat, and overall safety if you lose power in your home. Generators are good to have for any sort of emergency and can help you stay safe and warm.
6- Locate Gas, Water, And Electricity Shut Offs
Locating these valves and shut-offs can help prevent more unnecessary damage to your home. Turning off gas and water lines can help prevent fire or flooding if the pipes are damaged in a storm. This can also can make your home more of a safe haven during the storm because you will not need to worry about a storm outside while dealing with a disaster inside.
During a natural disaster, officials will often tell you when to turn off these items. Wait to turn off electricity until told to do so, so that your family can have light for as long as possible.
Work With Sawyer Restoration
Sawyer Restoration wants to ensure that your home comes back looking better than before after a natural disaster. We are dedicated to providing multiple services to best serve every area of your home. Our services are a one-stop shop for restoration and construction needs. With years of experience, our team knows how to handle damage from flooding, fire, wind, earthquakes, and more.
Serving Southwestern Wyoming is a joy in our local company. We treat your home like it is our own. Not only do we have the utmost respect for your home, we listen to all your needs and concerns and put them into practice. Contact us today for your disaster relief and construction needs.