As the recent tornado in Salt Lake City so dramatically demonstrated,
natural disasters continue to take residents off guard, despite the
presence of sophisticated storm-tracking technology. When tornadoes are
likely to strike, meteorologists can predict their paths, but this type of
natural disaster is perhaps the most fickle, flattening one home while
leaving the one next door untouched. Lightning strikes, too, are extremely
unpredictable. Incidents like the one in Utah can make us feel as if we're
at the mercy of nature, but we can gain a measure of control over our own
safety and that of our families. Taking a few safety tips to heart and
abiding by them year-round will help you take a proactive approach to your
family's safety.
Do you know where the shut-off valves of all of your appliances are
located? When electrical storms are predicted for your area, you'll need to
take action quickly. Shutting down all of your appliances will help protect
you from the danger of an electrical surge and/or fire. Make sure everyone
in your house knows how to shut off your major appliances, and then assign
each family member to a room -- meaning he or she is responsible for
shutting off that room's appliances -- in the event of a storm warning.
Have a back-up plan in place (make sure everyone knows how to shut
everything off) in case one of your family members isn't home when a storm
strikes. You'll also want to make sure that everyone knows how to switch
off your home's main gas and electrical sources in the event of a major
storm or other natural disaster.
Keep all flammable substances -- gasoline, household cleaning agents,
paint or other potentially volatile materials -- far away from your water
heater, ovens, stoves, and other gas appliances.
If you're planning to build a pool or spa in your back yard, make sure
it's not being constructed on top of electrical lines. Don't assume your
pool/spa construction company has taken that precaution.
Are any trees on your property or neighbors' property located dangerously
close to power lines? If the answer is yes, you can either take action
yourself or with the help of your neighbors; or, if the trees are located
on nearby public property, call your local utility provider and inform them
of the danger.
Create an itemized list of your personal property, including all of your
furniture, clothing, jewelry and all other valuable possessions.
Keep all important documents -- your insurance policies, in particular --
in a safe deposit box likely to weather the damaging effects of a storm or
other natural disaster.
Become an amateur photographer, and take pictures of the exterior and
interior of your home. Within each room, make sure your primary valuables
are depicted in the photographs. This precaution will help settle any
insurance claims you may have to file. If you have to prove any of your
alleged losses, you've got the evidence. Place the photos in your safe
deposit box. If you have to verify any uninsured losses for a tax
deduction, the photos also will help you plead your case.
If you live in a coastal area subject to hurricanes, make sure you know
the safest route possible from your home, the workplaces of you and your
spouse, your children's schools, etc., to the closest shelter. Do you have
a close friend or relative who might be willing to offer you temporary
shelter in the event of a natural disaster? Now is the time to ask them
(and extend them the same offer of "insurance").
Create a home "disaster kit." With rampant Y2K concerns making national
headlines, we're certainly learning a few tips about how to create such
survival kits. Even if you're not a believer in taking drastic precautions
for Y2K, prepare yourself in case you're faced with an electrical outage.
Purchase a couple of trusty flashlights, some spare batteries, a portable
radio (battery-powered), bottled water and some basic provisions that will
help you subsist in the event that you're housebound for a short period
(canned goods, can opener, basic cooking equipment).
Another tip for homeowners in hurricane-prone regions: Keep a supply of
sandbags on hand, as well as some lumber, durable duct tape (to protect
your windows) and sheets of plastic to keep your possessions dry.
Being proactive is one of the best insurance policies you can take out for
yourself and your family. Best of all, these simple measures gives you back
a semblance of control in the midst of a storm season that can leave many
of us feeling powerless -- literally.
Courtney Ronan is a freelance writer who contributes a weekly column profiling various communities. She also writes a weekly review of real estate related web sites. Courtney's career in journalism has included recent stints as managing editor of Agent News and as associate editor of Texas Business magazine.
As the recent tornado in Salt Lake City so dramatically demonstrated,
natural disasters continue to take residents off guard, despite the
presence of sophisticated storm-tracking technology. When tornadoes are
likely to strike, meteorologists can predict their paths, but this type of
natural disaster is perhaps the most fickle, flattening one home while
leaving the one next door untouched. Lightning strikes, too, are extremely
unpredictable. Incidents like the one in Utah can make us feel as if we're
at the mercy of nature, but we can gain a measure of control over our own
safety and that of our families. Taking a few safety tips to heart and
abiding by them year-round will help you take a proactive approach to your
family's safety.