IBHS News Releases

Tampa - Earthquakes shook both coasts, wildfires scorched southern California, a hurricane shut down the nation’s capital, hail rained down in the southwest and deadly windstorms blew chaos across several Midwestern states. 

Across the United States in 2003, natural disasters came in all shapes and sizes, killing scores of people and costing more than $10.5 billion in insured losses. 

But not all natural disasters have to be devastating.  With proper planning, 2004 can be a safer and happier new year, despite what nature has in store. 

The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) says you should consider these resolutions to improve the chance of your home or business resisting damage or disaster in the New Year.

1. This winter, don’t let snow build up on the downwind side of a higher-level roof.  To avoid water damage, remove snow from basement stairwells, window wells and all walls.  Ventilate your attic to maintain a temperature close to that of the outdoors and minimize the risk of ice dams forming. 

2. When it’s time for a new roof, choose products that are rated to withstand hail damage (Underwriters Laboratories’ 2218 Class 3 or 4 standard) and high wind.  If you live in a heavily treed area, it should resist fire as well.

3. If you’re going to build a new home, consider making it disaster-resistant from the ground-up, as in the IBHS Fortified . . . for safer living program.

4. If you have a small business or work from home, even a power outage can close you down for days.  Improve your chance of staying in business with pre- and post-disaster plans, found in the IBHS Open for Business Toolkit.

Visit www.disastersafety.org or call toll-free (866) 657-IBHS (4247) for more information on these and other ways you can make your home or business safer.

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.