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Home is where you feel relaxed, comfortable, and safe. We constantly care about the interior and exterior look of our homes and the ways to improve comfort in them. But how much do we invest in our homes’ safety?
One of the most important ways to keep your home safe is to make it resistant to natural disasters. Earthquakes, fires, and tornadoes are among the most unpredictable enemies of our home’s structures. A disaster-prone home can be deadly.
So, if you want to make sure your home is ready to survive a natural disaster, keep reading to find out what are the elements of a disaster-proof home.
Fire insulation
Fires are a type of disaster that can put your home in danger, no matter where you live. Certain areas are prone to tsunamis, and others are to earthquakes or tornados. But a wildfire can happen anywhere. Anywhere where humans are, that is since it’s proven they are responsible for 90% of wildfires.
It is possible to build a home that can completely survive a fire. These homes are made of non-combustible steel or similar materials. But, this type of home is not something available or affordable for all. But there is something we all can do: use proper fire-rated insulation in our homes. It will stop the fire from spreading within the building as well as to other buildings around it.
Flood-resistance
Floods are natural disasters that hit certain locations. If you live in an area that can easily be flooded, you can do a couple of things to protect your property from being destroyed.
Your first choice to make a flood-resistant home should be waterproof membranes, concrete, and ceramic tiles. You can also consider building flood walls around your home that should help keep it dry.
Don’t forget that the basement or lower floors tend to be in the biggest danger of flooding. So if you can’t make them flood-resistant properly, at least don’t use them for sleeping and don’t store your valuables there.
Wind safety
Hurricanes and tornadoes are, like floods, only a danger for homes in certain areas. But there are also other types of very strong winds. Climate changes made almost any part of the planet prone to them. Sure, homes in hurricane-prone areas and those located in Tornado Alley are in the biggest danger. But you should not ignore the danger of the winds even if you live in other parts of the world.
To protect your home, you can install storm shutters. They will protect you from broken glass as well as any kind of debris a strong wind can carry. Additionally, if possible, you can reinforce your home with strong materials like steel and opt for a wind-resistant roof.
Earthquake protection
Another natural disaster you want to keep your home safe from is an earthquake. Ideally, materials like steel and bamboo should be used to build an earthquake-resistant home. If that’s not possible, you should have your basement reinforced at least.
As for the interior of the house, make sure any heavy furniture or appliances are safely anchored to the walls.
Be prepared
Additionally, to make the home disaster-proof, you should have a family (or household members) action plan in case of a disaster. You should identify what type of danger you might be in and practice your steps accordingly. Whatever natural disaster your area might be prone to, you should have an emergency kit with first aid equipment and the most important documents packed safely inside.
While creating your action plan, consider a safe location you all would meet in case you get separated. Make sure everyone has emergency contact information stored in their phone. And don’t forget to update this plan and discuss the steps that need to be taken in case of a disaster a couple of times a year, just to be safe.
Don’t forget about your pets. One of the best things you can do is to keep information about their kind and number on all your exit doors. This way, the rescue workers will know who to look for.
To conclude
Making sure your home has the elements that will make it disaster-proof is very important. And not just so that you still have a home after the disaster. But also so that you and everyone else living in that home have higher chances of surviving the disaster.