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NATURAL DISASTERS
PROTECTING YOUR HOME
• Have unsafe or old chimney stacks removed or repointed.
• Replace cracked or broken slates or tiles on the roof( p. 206). Check that roof flashings are watertight. If any are loose or damaged, have them repaired or replaced( p. 206).
• Keep gutters and leaders clear and in good repair( p. 207).
• If you live in an area prone to tornadoes or hurricanes, install special hurricane shutters.
• Alternatively, install wooden frames on the windows so that you can board them up quickly( p. 234).
• Check and, if necessary, repair any obvious weaknesses, such as cracks that are wider than 1 ⁄ 8 in( 3 mm), in the structure of your house.
• If your area is at risk of flooding, make sure that you have sufficient sandbags to block all potential water entry points, such as external doors and vents( p. 228).
• Ensure that all adults in the home know how to turn off gas, electricity, and water at the main, in case you need to do so quickly.
• Check that you have adequate insurance coverage for damage caused by local disasters.
PROTECTING YOUR POSSESSIONS
• Make sure that shelves are securely fastened to the wall.
• Keep heavier items on lower shelves so that if a disaster occurs and they fall, they are less likely to injure anyone.
• If flooding is a risk in your area, keep precious items on higher shelves to protect them from water damage. Alternatively, move your most valuable possessions upstairs.
• Bolt tall pieces of furniture, boilers, and other heavy items to the wall or floor( p. 238) to ensure that they are stable and secure.
• Install additional devices to secure heavy light fixtures to ceilings.
• Keep a supply of bricks that you can use to raise heavy furniture out of reach of flood water.
• Keep a fire extinguisher and blanket to put out minor house fires.
PROTECTING YOUR YARD
• Remove any diseased or broken tree branches that could be blown about by high winds. Thin out crowded branches to reduce wind resistance.
• If you live in an area that is prone to wildfire, create a safety zone around your home( p. 232).
• During hurricane / tornado seasons, bring indoors or move into the garage any garden furniture or children’ s play equipment that is not anchored to the ground.
Cut off any broken branches before high winds rip them off