10 ways to prepare your home for a disaster
Part of what can make a natural disaster so destructive is when it catches a community unaware. For this reason, as a homeowner, it’s important to take the necessary precautions that will ensure your property is protected against such a threat.
Here are 10 ways to prepare your home for a disaster. By following these tips you can be sure your home will handle anything Mother Nature has to throw at it.
1. Be aware of the hazards in your area
Do you live near bush that’s susceptible to fire? Or close to a waterline prone to flooding? If your home is in a high risk area it’s crucial that you’re aware of the weather and potential dangers your property is exposed to.
2. Review your insurance policies
You’ll be surprised to learn that according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, about 1.8 million Australian households have no house and contents insurance – that is 23 per cent of all Australian homes. We all hope we’ll never have to use it but it’s wise to prepare for the worst. Once you’ve checked the disasters your home is prone to, you may want to consider a home and contents insurance policy that can provide adequate cover. You’ll want to only pay for cover you need though. With Over60 you can tailor your home insurance to suit various needs and budgets so you can enjoy the peace of mind in knowing that the things you hold near and dear are protected.
3. Take an inventory of your possessions
This task may sound like a tedious way to spend a weekend, but it’s certainly a lot easier to do this when you have an opportunity to do so, rather than trying to remember after a disaster. This will also greatly assist you when making claims.
4. Prepare a disaster plan
Make sure you have somewhere safe to go where you and your family can gather. It’s a good idea to have a couple of options and contingency plans in place.
5. Have a communications plan
Your family might not all be together when disaster strikes, so make sure you think ahead and figure out a way to communicate with your loved ones.
6. Put an evacuation plan in place
There may not be much time to move in the event of a disaster, so figure out a meeting point and make sure you plan how to evacuate your home quickly.
7. Inspect your home
Eliminate any potential hazards that could wreak havoc in an emergency. Anything that can move, fall, break or start a fire should be considered a hazard.
8. Try to connect with your community
It’s a good idea to know members of your community, as neighbours can be of great assistance in a natural disaster where every little bit of help counts.
9. Regularly check safety devices
If your smoke alarm is out of battery, it’s really nothing more than an unsightly wall decoration. Make sure you regularly check these and your fire extinguishers.
10. Check with local authorities
Local emergency services will be able to provide you with information about your community’s emergency plans, evacuation routes, and locations of emergency shelter.
Do you feel as though your property is prepared for a natural disaster? Are there any measures you would add to this list?
Let us know in the comments.
With Over60 you can tailor your home insurance to suit various needs and budgets so you can enjoy the peace of mind in knowing that the things you hold near and dear are protected. Find out how you can get up to 30 per cent off^ Over60 home insurance products now.
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