Disaster Planning & Prevention Tips
A few things you can do to help yourself and your home:
- Roofing systems should be maintained based on their life expectancy.
- If you have plants growing out of your gutters it’s a pretty good indication that they need to be cleaned.
- It’s not expensive to replace washer hoses on an annual basis, like when you change the batteries in your smoke detector.
- Don’t leave small children unattended while running the bath but this is no guarantee that the adults will watch the sink filling up.
- HVAC systems should be maintained on an annual basis and most contractors offer a maintenance agreement for a reasonable fee.
- Keep all space heating units at least 3 feet away from furniture and drapes. Turn them OFF when leaving the room or going to bed.
- If you’re going to smoke, stay awake.
- If you must use candles, DO NOT LEAVE THE ROOM! They can also produce very fine soot which can be very difficult to eliminate.
- If you have a pan of grease on the stove, you don’t have time to make a quick trip to the bathroom.
- Be careful when using extension cords and excessive loading to your electrical system. This is especially true for older homes.
Change your indoor air filters regularly. Investigate duct cleaning options on an annual basis.
- Have your fireplace, chimney, wood stoves and furnace inspected annually. Clean them when necessary.
- Keep gasoline in special safety containers and store outdoors and away from your home. Vapors can explode with the smallest spark.
- Did you know that a small pan fire can be extinguished by sliding a lid over the flames? Protect your hands and face while doing this!
- Every home should have a fire extinguisher. Be sure to learn when and how to use it.
- Think about having a home fire sprinkler system installed.
- Install smoke alarms on every level of your home. Place them in every bedroom. Replace the batteries annually and test monthly.
- Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children know how and when to call 911.
- Check your insurance coverage – flood damage or rising ground water is not usually covered by homeowners insurance.
- Stock emergency supplies and a disaster supply kit.
- Use a NOAA weather radio. Replace the battery annually when you replace batteries for your smoke detector.
- Take First Aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes.
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