Tampa – Natural disasters, including wildfires, a land-falling hurricane, ice storms, flooding, deadly tornadoes and earthquakes, made headlines from coast to coast in 2002.
No one knows for sure where or when natural disasters will strike in the New Year. The toll they take won’t be subject to chance alone, however, but also to the choices home and business owners make to be prepared for them.
To improve chances of having a safe 2003, the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) recommends the following resolutions –
1) Know what perils can threaten your area, and take steps to minimize your risks. There are often simple, inexpensive actions you can take to help protect your home no matter where you live, like creating a survivable space around a home that’s exposed to wildfires, or securing bookcases and water heaters to walls in homes in an earthquake region.
2) Seal cracks and holes in exterior walls and foundations as a first step in preventing water damage. Insulating exposed pipes to minimize the risk of freezing, which could cause them to burst, will also help.
3) If it’s time for a new roof, choose roofing products that are rated to withstand hail damage (Underwriters Laboratories’ 2218 Class 3 or 4 standard), as well as those that resist fire and high wind. You’ve worked hard to put a roof over your head, so make sure it stays there when an ill wind blows your way.
4) If you plan to build a new home, remember that where you build should determine how you build. Start your protection from the ground up by using building materials and techniques that protect your house from potential hazards.
5) Business owners can protect their investment by making disaster-preparedness and recovery plans. Emergency contacts, inventory and vendor lists, and other useful items with copies stored off-site at least 50 miles away can help you make a fast recovery from an unexpected disaster.
Visit the IBHS website www.disastersafety.org for more information on protecting your home or business, or call toll free 1 (866) 657-IBHS (4247).
IBHS is a national nonprofit initiative of the insurance industry to reduce deaths, injuries, property damage, economic losses and human suffering caused by natural disasters.
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