Disaster-Proof Home

This pandemic has made me think more about what a home can provide its residents, and what challenges they might have to face in the extreme. I sourced a lot of these ideas from ready.gov.

House Disasters:

• Fire
• Hurricane
• Earthquake
• Tornado
• Flood
• Drought
• Winter Storm
• Heat Wave
• Lightning
• Volcano
• Tsunami
• Nuclear Event
• Loosing Power
• Loosing Income
• Food Shortage
• Medical Emergency
• Bug, Rodent, and Bear
• Mold
• Theft
• Tree Damage
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Protections:

There are some basic preparedness tips that cover multiple emergency scenarios.

• Insurance: Health, Life, Home insurance that covers all natural disasters in your area.
• Headlamps + Extra Batteries
• Sign up for Community Alerts
• Battery-powered Radio for NOAA Weather Radio
• Prescription Medications
• Cash
• Food reserves
• Drinking water reserves
• First Aid Kit
• Sturdy, airtight, watertight construction

House Fire

• Fire extinguishers
• Smoke Alarms
• Sprinkler System
• Secondary exits from all rooms
• Fire-resistant building materials

Wildfire

• N95 Respirators
• Indoor Air Purifier
• Valuables in Fire-proof Safe
• Outdoor water hose that can reach all of property
• Clear leaves & debris from property

Hurricane

• Little Roof Overhangs
• Hip Roof instead of Gables
• 30 degree Roof Angle
• Hurricane Straps on Roof
• Storm Shingles or Standing Seam Metal Roof
• Hurricane Shutters
• Walls Anchored to Foundation

Earthquake

• Foundation in stable ground
• Anchor furniture, fixtures, decorations
• Anchored walls and roof, see Hurricane

Tornado

• Basement for shelter
• House built for strong winds, see Hurricane

Flood

• Elevated Location
• Check valves on Plumbing
• Valuables in Waterproof Container
• Sump Pump
• Water Leak detectors

Drought

• Low water use fixtures
• Drought tolerant plants & lawn
• Rainwater collection
• Water storage tank

Winter Storm

• Snow chains
• Winter Tires
• Shovels including Roof Rake

Heat Wave

• Air conditioning
• Window reflectors or shades

Lightning

• Surge Protectors
• Lightning Rod
• PEX & PVC Plumbing

Volcanic Eruption

• Location
• N95 Respirators

Tsunami

• Location, inland and high elevation

Nuclear Event

• Location, away from Nuclear Power Plants and Strategic Targets
• Geiger Counter

Power Outage

• Generator or Off-grid power
• Measure household electricity usage
• Thermometer for Fridge & Freezer

Income Loss

• Emergency Fund of at least 6 months of expenses
• Budget
• Minimize Debt

Food Shortage

• Vegetable Garden
• Rice, Beans, Oatmeal, Canned and Frozen Veggies in bulk reserves

Medical Emergency

• Copy of Medical records
• Defibrillator
• EpiPen
• Benadryl
• Pain medicine
• Mucinex
• Tums
• Vegan Vitamins
• Calamine Lotion
• Splint
• Elastic Bandage Wrap
• Gause Bandages
• Fabric Tape
• Antibiotic and Antiseptic Ointment
• Medical Thermometer
• Tweezers
• Tick Remover

Bug, Rodent, & Bear

• Bug Resistant Construction Materials
• Trash & Recycling in Garage or Locked Metal Shed

Mold

• Mold Resistant Building Materials
• AC & Dehumidifiers
• Monitor indoor humidity

Theft

• Motion-detecting lights
• Cameras
• Alarm system
• Reinforced Locks
• Anti-shatter window plastic

Tree Damage

• Sturdy Roof
• Clear tall trees from around house

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

• Carbon Monoxide Detectors
• Limit uses of gas appliances
• Gas Shutoff valves with wrenches