| how to protect you home from a tornado | | Even if you live outside “Tornado Alley,” the area of the country that runs north from Texas through eastern Nebraska and northeast to Indiana, you are still vulnerable to tornadoes. Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas may see more of these unpredictable and dangerous storms than other states, but the rest of the country also gets its share of twisters. You don’t have to be blown away when nature lets loose. It’s never too early to prepare and you can take several basic steps right now to protect your family and your home from disaster.
First Things First
Structures built to meet or exceed current model building codes for high-wind regions have a much better chance of surviving violent windstorms. The Standard Building Code, promulgated by the Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc., is one source for guidance on fortifying your home against fierce winds. Although no home can withstand a direct hit from a severe tornado, good construction will help your home survive if it’s to the side of the tornado’s path.
When inspecting your home, pay particular attention to the windows, doors, roof, gables and connections (roof-to-wall, wall-to-foundation). Residences in inland areas... | |
| | How to protect you home from an Earthquake | | BEWARE THIS IS LONG!
California may think it owns earthquakes, but if you live anywhere west or just east of the Rockies, you live in an earthquake zone. If you live along the Mississippi River in the New Madrid region, well, that’s an earthquake zone, too. And the southern Appalachians? Yes. New England? Yes. Alaska? Absolutely.
You don't have to lose your home and possessions to nature's shake, rattle and roll. I's never too early to prepare and you can take several basic steps right now to protect your family and your home from disaster.
First Things First
If you're handy with a hammer and screwdriver, you can secure appliances, furniture and keepsakes yourself. Work involving your home's structure tends to be quite complex, however, and generally requires the expertise of a registered design professional, such as an architect or engineer, or a licensed building contractor.
Before making any structural changes to your home, check with your local building officials to be sure what you're doing complies with local building codes. Experts agree that structures built to meet or exceed current model building codes have a much better chance of surviving an earthquake.
Inside... | |
| | how to protect your home from fire | | Wildfires only happen in California, right? Well, maybe in Florida and New Mexico too, but certainly not in your neighborhood. However, in truth, nearly every state has been devastated by wildfires in the last century. Over 140,000 wildfires occurred on average each year, burning a total of almost 14.5 million acres. And since 1990, over 900 homes have been destroyed each year by wildfires.
While wildfires are more frequent in the West, recent events have demonstrated that this is clearly a nationwide problem. This is because more of us are living in rural areas closer to nature. These areas are more prone to wildfires and that means our homes are at risk. No home is fireproof, but by taking the necessary precautions, your home has a better chance of surviving such a catastrophe.
So, what can you do to protect yourself, your home and property from wildfires? This brochure presents tips for preparing your home and yard to survive a wildfire. The information and suggestions presented in this brochure range from simple weekend tasks to involved projects that may require professional assistance. Before starting on any activity, make sure you are comfortable with the required skill... | |
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