With an increasing number of extreme weather events across the globe as a result of the climate crisis, many individuals are taking steps in order to protect their homes and prepare for future environmental disasters. The USA experienced a historical number of climate emergencies in 2017 and 2018, with 30 separate billion-dollar disasters causing widespread panic and loss of both homes and lives.
While it may seem overcautious, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Whether you live in an area that’s prone to flooding, wildfires or heavy snow, these five investments are worth considering if you’re serious about planning for an emergency situation. It could save you your home and, most importantly, your life.
Take-out home-owners insurance
The first step you need to take in protecting your home against any weather-related disasters is taking out insurance. This way, you’ll be covered for a number of necessary repairs and won’t end up plunging into debt in order to restore your home. This step shouldn’t be completed hastily, as you may find the policy you take out won’t cover any issues such as flooding. Basic policies are unlikely to cover extreme weather, so it may cost you a few extra dollars for a premium policy but it could be well-worth it in the long-run.
Bolt your home to the foundation
Do you live in an area that’s prone to earthquakes? These occurrences are both scary and worrying, often resulting in some kind of destruction and damage to the home. In some cases, particularly strong earthquakes have been known to separate houses from their foundations. This will leave you with thousands of dollars’ worth of damage, so it’s a good idea to bolt your home to the foundation to keep everything in place and withstand powerful tremors.
Install backflow valves
A backflow preventer is a piece of equipment which is installed in homes to prevent sewage from flowing into your home. Flooding can cause a huge amount of damage to your property, and the last thing you want is waste entering your home. Not only is this disgusting, it’s incredible dangerous too. This waste can carry all sorts of bacteria and disease, so take preventative action and install backflow valves.
Consider a metal outbuilding
A growing trend among both homeowners and business owners is the use of a strong and durable metal building that can withstand extreme weather events. Quality, steel-buildings are ideal for cold weather conditions such as snow and wind, offering protection from harsh blizzards. These aren’t just a cold weather solution, steel buildings also do extremely well in hot weather conditions. Even in desert-like heat, these buildings remain cool to touch and maintain a comfortable temperature inside. They’re an ideal solution when protecting both your valuables and yourselves from environmental disasters. Ensure you keep your building well-stocked with long-life foods and water.
Use fire-resistant building materials
Temperatures are rising, and so are the number of wildfires in the US and around the world. In order to protect your home from fires as much as humanly possible, you should assess the building materials and whether they are fire resistant. For example, clay and metal tiles are highly resistant to fires and therefore make for a good roofing solution.
While the weather can be unpredictable, your reaction to it doesn’t have to be. By planning in advance, you don’t have to endure that last minute panic to prepare, nor do you have to pay out to repair damage to the home.