Must-Know Tips: Freeze Protection, Family Safety & Power Outage/Generator Safety

Posted on by
Reply

The nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) is offering four focus areas with 20 tips to keep families safe, warm, and comfortable as freezing temperatures arrive.

  1. Foam, Dome & Drip
  • Insulate pipes exposed to the elements or cold drafts with insulating foam. For as little as $1 per 6’ of insulation, you can help prevent pipes from freezing and slow potential freezing during power outages.
  • Place an insulating dome or other covering on outdoor faucets and spigots to reduce the likelihood of the water in your pipes freezing, expanding, and causing a costly leak.
  • Drip faucets to reduce the build-up of pressure in the pipes. Even if the pipes freeze, you have released the pressure from the water system, reducing the likelihood of a rupture. If you are going out of town and suspect that temperatures will drop or a power outage will occur, turn off the water to your home and open all of the taps to drain the water system. This way, you won’t return to a frozen, soggy mess.
  • Open cabinet doors so heat can warm uninsulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.

More info: https://flash.org/mitigation/upgrade-insulation-for-pipes/

  1. Keep Your Family Safe & Follow Food Safety Best Practices
  • Never use candles or matches, as they pose a fire hazard. Maintain a supply of flashlights, batteries, hand-crank cell phone chargers, and solar-powered radios.
  • Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. The outer garments should be tightly woven and water-repellent.
  • If you are using a fireplace to stay warm, be sure the area is properly ventilated. Never use grills, camp stoves, propane heaters, or generators indoors or in garages. Install battery-powered carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home and near sleeping areas.
  • Keep a supply of non-perishable foods, medicine, baby supplies, printed copies of essential documents, pet food, and have at least one gallon of water per person per day on hand.
  • Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed. If the door is closed, the refrigerator will keep items for up to 4 hours. A full freezer will stay frozen for about two days, and a half-full freezer for about one day. When in doubt, throw it out. Discard perishable food that has been above 40°F for more than 2 hours.

More info: https://flash.org/how-to-build-a-disaster-supply-kit/ and https://flash.org/how-to-plan-for-a-power-outage-and-use-generators-safely/ 

  1. Plan for Power Outages & Safely Use Generators
  • Turn off any electrical equipment that was in use before the power outage, but leave one light on to alert you when power resumes.
  • During a power outage, resist the temptation to call 9-1-1 for information. Use radios, online news sources, or social media channels for updates.
  • Keep your car fuel tank at least half full, as gas stations rely on electricity to operate their pumps and may not have backup power.
  • Keep extra cash on hand since an extended power outage may prevent you from withdrawing money from ATMs or banks.
  • Use gas-powered generators only in well-ventilated outdoor areas. Always operate the generator outdoors and away from open windows and doors. NEVER operate it inside, including the basement, enclosed patio, or garage.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, such as only connecting individual appliances to portable generators.
  • Don’t plug emergency generators into electric outlets or hook them directly to your home’s electrical system, as they can feed electricity back into the power lines, putting you and line workers in danger.
  • Consider purchasing and installing a standby home generator with an automatic on switch.
  • Volunteer to check on elderly neighbors, friends, or relatives who may need assistance during a power outage.

More info: https://flash.org/how-to-plan-for-a-power-outage-and-use-generators-safely/ and https://flash.org/smoke-alarms-carbon-monoxide-detectors-and-fire-extinguishers/ 

  1. When Power Returns
  • When power comes back on, it may come back with momentary “surges” or “spikes” that can damage equipment such as computers and motors in appliances like the air conditioner, refrigerator, washer, or furnace. Be sure to install a surge protection system that includes point-of-use devices and whole-house protection.
  • When power is restored, wait a few minutes before turning on major appliances to help eliminate potential problems caused by sharp increases in demand.

More info: https://flash.org/how-to-plan-for-a-power-outage-and-use-generators-safely/ 

New “Strong Homes Scale” Gauges Building Strength in Disasters

Posted on by
Reply

With the 2025 destructive spring tornado season underway, and Hurricane Season approaching the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH)® is offering the Strong Homes Scale (Scale), a groundbreaking new tool designed to help homeowners assess their home’s ability to withstand six natural disasters, including earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and winter storms. The Scale and new tools are part of the enhanced InspectToProtect.org platform that empowers users with information to answer the questions, “How will my home hold up in a disaster?” and “How can I make it stronger?”

FLASH created the offerings using research insights from a one-year behavior-focused study with homebuilders and homeowners to help identify priorities and informational needs. The focus groups and surveys revealed a profound disconnect: respondents expressed a high interest in disaster-resilient homes but did not understand how to identify or create one. While 47% of homebuyers ranked “sturdiness of construction” as a top priority, only 2% understood the vital role of building codes in achieving that sturdiness.

The new Scale closes this gap by providing a simple, user-friendly way to gauge a home’s construction features that help it withstand the six most common and costly U.S. disasters. The Scale and tools are free and can be used standalone or in conjunction with an in-person home inspection to understand resilient construction best practices for various weather and natural disasters.

Your Home’s Resilience Potential – Demystified

The Scale provides users with what the research participants asked for—a simple, visual framework to identify modern resilience features for the home compared to features required in the original code, if any, followed when their house was built. The Scale is a home rating tool that compares methods and products in the home’s original construction code with the current 2024 International Residential Code. The data provided on this website is derived in whole or in part from publicly available, individually researched, and source-provided data, including “as is” data via the Zestimate API.

It is embedded in the enhanced InspectToProtect.org platform with new functionality and information identified through the research, including:

  • Disaster Resilience Feature Information: Offers six peril checklists, 3D and 2D illustrations, links to building science technical manuals, videos, and advice for hiring contractors. Recommendations are based on engineering analysis, such as tornado suggestions for sealing roof decks from water intrusion, reinforcing roof systems, installing impact-resistant doors and windows, selecting a certified tornado safe room, and other methods to secure homes in severe and extreme winds.
  • Building Code Lookup Tool: This tool allows users to discover which building codes apply to their residence and its resilience features.
  • Disaster History: Indicates Presidentially-declared disasters for specific home locations to help prioritize resilience upgrades.
  • Risk Identification: The FEMA National Risk Index is used to identify risks for addresses entered, along with a low, moderate, and high designation ranking.

How It Works

  • Homeowners enter their home’s address, city, or zip code into the tool.
  • The Scale then provides a custom home strength rating and identifies ranked disaster risks in the area, such as earthquake, flood, hurricane, tornado, wildfire, or winter storm.
  • Users then click on features to reflect post-construction upgrades and see how they may impact a home’s overall resilience rating. For example, they may have:
    • Added hurricane shutters or impact-resistant windows,
    • Braced and bolted a foundation for earthquake resilience,
    • Reroofed using a sealed deck to prevent wind-driven rain intrusion, or,
    • Placed wire mesh over vents to prevent wildfire ember entry.
  • Once they click on features they have added, the Scale rating will adjust dynamically.
  • Users receive a printable checklist on their homes’ resilience features and recommendations for upgrade options.

“The Strong Homes Scale is a game-changer because it provides custom information to families that increases safety and protects their valuable financial asset simultaneously,” said FLASH President and CEO Leslie Chapman-Henderson. “Users will learn how their home compares to the latest model building codes and how to upgrade for a stronger, more disaster-resistant future.”

For more information or to access the Strong Homes Scale, visit InspectToProtect.org.

Budget-Saving Hurricane Preps

Posted on by
Reply

The nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) is sharing steps to save lives, protect homes, and preserve peace of mind. The steps outlined at www.hurricanestrong.org include free and low-cost strategies with an emphasis on early prep to avoid more expensive, last-minute options.

Free and low-cost (<$50) steps include the examples below:

1. SAFETY

    • FREE – Know Your Evacuation Zone: Determine whether you can shelter in place safely at home or if you live in a storm surge evacuation zone or other high-risk location. Find your evacuation zone using the online listing here and identify a backup site with family or friends to avoid overcrowding shelters. Monitor local news and heed evacuation orders when hurricane watches and warnings occur.

2. PREPAREDNESS

    • FREE – Make a Family Disaster Plan: Gather your family and make plans to ensure you know where to meet and how you will communicate in an emergency. Address household needs, especially for the elderly and pets. Identify a family meeting place near and away from home, designate out-of-state emergency contacts, and practice your plans by holding a family drill.
    •  UNDER $50 – Build a Disaster Supply Kit: Collect and build up the supplies you will need to spread the cost over time. Keep water and nonperishable foods like peanut butter and jelly available and replenished in a power outage. Use this checklist to ensure you have everything you may need, including cash, flashlights, medicine, and tarps.

3. RESILIENCE

    • FREE – Strengthen Your Home: Look up the building code followed to construct your home at Inspect2Protect.org and secure recommendations for strengthening based on your home’s age, location, and practices during the build year. Recommendations are classified by both impact and cost and include DIY options.
    • UNDER $50 – Brace Your Soffits: Soffits are horizontal surfaces on the underside of your roof eaves that help resist wind and keep water out of your attic. They can allow wind-driven rain to cause catastrophic and costly water damage when they blow in. Use caulk and follow the DIY steps in this checklist to reinforce soffits and ensure they stay in place in hurricane winds. 
    • UNDER $50 – Inspect & Clean Your Gutters: A working gutter system with properly placed downspouts and drains will direct rainfall away from your home’s foundation to prevent flooding, erosion, and water buildup. However, your gutters will only perform if they are well-maintained and free of leaves and debris. Use this checklist for step-by-step instructions to get your gutters hurricane-ready.

4. INSURANCE  

    • FREE – Get an Insurance Checkup: Contact your insurance company or agent today and review your insurance coverages to avoid costly surprises if a hurricane damages your home. Ask all the questions outlined in this checklist, and be sure you discuss flood insurance. Make sure you understand all deductibles, co-pays, and zero deductible protection like food spoilage coverage to maximize your policy benefits. Remember, flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period. You cannot buy it or any new insurance once hurricane watches and warnings occur.
    • FREE – Create a Home Inventory: Follow the steps in this checklist to create or update your home inventory, and you will have what you need to make a complete hurricane insurance claim. Current, detailed written, photographic, or video proof of your home contents and belongings with purchase date, price, and serial number will make the process more efficient. It will save time and reduce stress after the storm as well.

5. SERVICE

    • FREE – Help Your Community: Once you and your family are prepared, you can help individual family members or friends who are especially vulnerable and need help preparing, surviving, and recovering from hurricanes. Your act of service may be as straightforward as helping an elderly neighbor put up shutters or contact loved ones or more formal with CPR or other training required.

Visit the free online #HurricaneStrong preparation center to learn more, download checklists, or contact an expert.

 

Resolve to Be More Disaster Resilient in the New Year

Posted on by
Reply

Preparing for potential disasters is crucial no matter where you call home. Families can enhance their safety and home resilience by using these free and low-cost ways to strengthen their homes against a variety of perils. From earthquakes and extreme heat to floods, hail, hurricanes, tornados, and wildfires, these top mitigation strategies are accessible on the nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) website FLASH.org.

The website includes a user-friendly feature called the “Prepare for Disasters” module on the homepage. Users can input their addresses to discover potential disasters that may impact their homes. The results offer resources for planning and recovery and include a home-strengthening category. This category categorizes each mitigation activity by the type of peril it addresses, its cost, and its impact rating, providing users with a personalized and highly organized experience.

Mitigation Strategies

From understanding and implementing building codes to securing your property against multiple perils, FLASH.org provides strategies to ensure families can bounce back swiftly from any unexpected event. These tactics include everything from securing furniture and appliances to installing automatic gas shut-off valves, FEMA-certified safe rooms, anchoring fuel tanks, obtaining flood and home insurance policies, and much more.

Top Earthquake-Resilient Retrofits and Upgrades

Top Flood-Resilient Home Retrofits and Upgrades

Top Hurricane-Resilient Home Retrofits and Upgrades

Top Tornado-Resilient Home Upgrades

Top Wildfire-Resilient Home Upgrades

Top Winter Storm-Resilient Home Upgrades

Free or Low-Cost Things You Can Do Right Now to Prepare for Any Peril

  1. Make a Family Disaster Plan: Establish a comprehensive plan to ensure the safety and well-being of your loved ones during emergencies.
  2. Build a Disaster Supply Kit: Equip your family with essential supplies to endure and recover from disasters.
  3. Get an Insurance Checkup: Review your insurance policies for adequate coverage for potential risks.
  4. Create an Insurance Home Inventory: Document your possessions to streamline the claims process after a disaster.

 

Is your “Groovy Home” HurricaneStrong?

Posted on by
Reply

Get your “Groovy Home” and family ready for the 2023 hurricane season by preparing before a storm approaches by following these five #HurricaneStrong steps.

Safety – Know Your Evacuation Zone

One of the most critical steps for survival is to identify whether you reside in a storm surge evacuation zone and to develop a plan for where you will be when the waters rise. Once you have your plan in place, heed all evacuation orders, and do so quickly. Remember, making the right decision to either stay or leave on a timely basis will keep you, your family, and your community’s first responders out of harm’s way. Use this updated list from FLASH to Find Your Evacuation Zone today. 

Preparedness – Make a Plan. Build a Kit. 

You’ll need to plan for two situations—remaining home or evacuating to a different location. Click here for a comprehensive list of supplies that you will need to stay comfortable and safe. 

Resilience – Strengthen Your Home 

It’s time to get the house ready for hurricane season. A well-built home can stand up to hurricanes, so gather the family to make sure your house is hurricane-ready. The best place to start is by visiting InspectToProtect.org. Use this tool to determine the building codes used in your community today, or contact your local government for information about building codes used in the past. 

You can strengthen your home by performing a Do-It-Yourself Wind Inspection to find out what needs attention. Once you finish the inspection, you can get started with these one-hour, one-day, or one-weekend activities. You can find checklists and how-to videos here. 

Insurance – Have a Checkup. Create an Inventory 

Homeowners, renters, and flood insurance policies are the most effective financial recovery tools available for storm victims, but often many realize too late that flood insurance is a separate policy that requires a 30-day waiting period. It’s likely that you won’t be able to add a flood policy or change any of your regular policy coverages if a storm is imminent, but you should still contact your agent or company in advance. Understanding your policy limits, co-pays, deductibles, and where to call with any claims will come in handy if you are affected by the storm. Find out what types of insurance you need in this guide, If Disaster Strikes Will You Be Covered?  

Service – Help Your Community 

You and your family are now prepared to confront a hurricane; it’s time to think about how you can help your community. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

  •  Be sure everyone has a plan. Exchange information so you can stay in touch.
  • Discuss how you may be able to help each other if someone is out of town. Neighbors can help each other by clearing yard debris and creating a checklist of the items to bring inside during a high-wind event.
  • Get involved in community-wide efforts. One of the best things you can do for your neighbors and yourself is to be sure there’s a solid plan and a network of resources for everyone in the community and that they know how to use them.

Whether you reside along the coast or well inland, planning now and following the above advice can help you should a storm head your way. For more information, visit www.flash.org, www.hurricanestrong.org or email info@flash.org, follow @FederalAlliance on Twitter, follow FLASH on Facebook, or call (877) 221-SAFE (7233).

21 Essential Cold Weather Safety, Freeze Prevention, and Power Outage Tips

Posted on by
Reply

The nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) is offering 21 tips to keep families safe and warm when the power goes out and freezing temperatures arrive.

Foam, Dome & Drip – Affordable Ways to Protect Your Home

For as little as $1 per 6’ of insulation, you can stop pipes from freezing during winter and even when the power goes out.

  1. Insulate pipes exposed to the elements or cold drafts with insulating foam. For as little as $1 per 6’ of insulation, you can stop pipes from freezing and save energy.
  2. Place an insulating dome or other covering on outdoor faucets and spigots to reduce the likelihood of the water in your pipes freezing, expanding, and causing a costly leak.
  3. Drip faucets to reduce the build-up of pressure in the pipes. Even if the pipes freeze, you have released the pressure from the water system, reducing the likelihood of a rupture. If you are going out of town and suspect that temperatures will drop or a power outage will occur, turn off the water to your home and open all of the taps to drain the water system. This way, you won’t return to a frozen, soggy mess.
  4. Check for air leaks around windows and doors using a lit incense stick. If the smoke is sucked out of an opening, seal the leak with caulk, spray foam, or weather stripping.

Keep Your Family Safe & Warm

  1. Keep a supply of flashlights, batteries, and a battery-powered radio on hand. Do not use candles as they pose a fire hazard.
  2. After the power goes out, make sure to turn off all lights but one to alert you when power resumes.
  3. Resist the temptation to call 911 for information during power outages. Instead, use your battery-powered radio for information.
  4. Keep your car fuel tank at least half full, as gas stations rely on electricity to operate their pumps and may not have backup power.
  5. Keep extra cash on hand since an extended power outage may prevent you from withdrawing money from ATMs or banks.
  6. Volunteer to check on elderly neighbors, friends, or relatives who may need assistance during the outage.
  7. Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. The outer garments should be tightly woven and water-repellent. Never burn charcoal for heating or cooking indoors.
  8. If you are using a gas heater or fireplace to stay warm, be sure the area is properly ventilated.
  9. Arrange ahead of time with family, friends, or neighbors for a place to go if you have an extended outage.

Food

  1. Keep a supply of non-perishable foods, medicine, baby supplies, and pet food on hand, and have at least one gallon of water per person per day on hand.
  2. Avoid opening the fridge or freezer. Food should be safe as long as the outage lasts no more than four hours.

Generators

  1. Do not run a generator inside a home or garage. Use gas-powered generators only in well-ventilated areas.
  2. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, such as only connecting individual appliances to portable generators.
  3. Don’t plug emergency generators into electric outlets or hook them directly to your home’s electrical system, as they can feed electricity back into the power lines, putting you and line workers in danger.
  4. Consider purchasing and installing a standby home generator with an automatic on switch.

When Power Returns

  1. When power comes back on, it may come back with momentary “surges” or “spikes” that can damage equipment such as computers and motors in appliances like the air conditioner, refrigerator, washer, or furnace. Be sure to install a system of surge protection that consists of point-of-use devices and whole-house surge protection.
  2. When power is restored, wait a few minutes before turning on major appliances to help eliminate potential problems caused by sharp increases in demand.

For more information, tips, and resources for winter safety, visit Flash.org. 

A Decade After 2011 Tornado Super Outbreak, Survey Reveals Americans Have More to Learn about Tornado Safety

Posted on by
Reply

Federal Alliance for Safe Homes launches #TornadoStrong campaign to help Americans better prepare for tornadoes

Many Americans still lack awareness of basic tornado safety information and essential ways to protect themselves if a tornado strikes, a new survey from the nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) shows. Today, on the ten-year anniversary of the 2011 Tornado Super Outbreak, FLASH is launching the #TornadoStrong campaign and website with resources and information to increase consumer knowledge of tornadoes, as well as lifesaving preparedness plans and safe rooms.

FLASH surveyed 1,000 residents and homeowners in tornado-prone states to measure awareness and understanding of safe and unsafe behaviors during tornadoes, the importance of certified safe rooms and storm shelters, and common terms used by meteorologists and the media.

Top survey findings found that nearly 50 percent of respondents were unaware that safe rooms can provide near-absolute protection in most tornadoes, and more than 44 percent of respondents overestimated the cost of purchasing and installing a safe room. Additionally, 50 percent of respondents mistook a tornado watch for a tornado warning.

“Almost 90 percent of U.S. counties were under a tornado watch at some point in the last five years, and we want residents and homeowners across the country to know how to prepare for a tornado and what to do when one hits,” said FLASH President and CEO Leslie Chapman-Henderson. “We created the #TornadoStrong program and resources to help increase consumer awareness and save lives.”

The #TornadoStrong website features Choosing the Right Safe Room for You, which lays out the six different types of safe rooms along with shareable social media graphics and materials to spread the word about tornado safety. A toolkit for meteorologists is available with downloadable b-roll video, graphics, and key messages to help communicate clear tornado guidance.

To find out more about tornado safe rooms, shelters and how they are constructed, view this powerful video from our partner MyRadar, filmed on location at the Extreme Storm Shelter facility, Weathering the Extremes – #TornadoStrong.  Visit www.tornado-strong.org to learn more today.

Top Ten Tips for Disaster Safety in 2021

Posted on by
Reply

Affordable, Simple, and DIY Ways to Protect Your Home

This year brought a record breaking-breaking hurricane season; wildfires burned nearly nine million acres; ongoing winter storm alerts; and a pandemic. While there is good news on the horizon as the COVID-19 vaccine rolls out, people may continue to work, educate, and vacation at home. To take advantage of the time at home, the nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) offers these ten tips to get your home and family ready in 2021.

1. Know Your Risk: No Cost – Click here to learn more National Center for Disaster Preparedness  

  • No matter where you live, you are at risk for some type of disaster. To prepare, you must understand what risks you face. You can start your search online by searching for the disaster history in your community. Use keyword searches and phrases for each peril, such as “earthquake and your town.” From there, you can learn not only what happened but also how fast or well your hometown recovered.
  • Remember, just because a community hasn’t experienced disaster already doesn’t mean it won’t happen in the future.

2. Earthquake: $20 or less – Click here Purchase a Gas Shutoff Wrench

  • It starts with a wrench! Fires caused by earthquakes are the second most common hazard after the quake and can be even more deadly. Broken gas lines caused by the shaking can cause deadly fires.
  • Minimize your risk by learning in advance how to turn off their main gas line. Make sure to locate the gas shutoff valve and purchase a gas shutoff wrench to shut off the gas supply manually. Keep the wrench near the gas shutoff, so it is easy to locate. This type of tool is typically under twenty dollars.

3. Flood: Cost Varies – Click here Purchase Flood Insurance

  • Where it rains, it can flood. Purchasing flood insurance is one of the best financial protections for your home. Most homeowner insurance policies do not cover flood damage, but nearly every home has some level of flooding risk. Even if you live outside mapped high-risk flood zones in a moderate or lower risk location, you need flood insurance. Typically, the lower the risk, the lower the cost.
  • On average, full primary coverage for a 250-thousand-dollar home with 100 thousand dollars in contents, the premium is $572 in low-risk X zones. Remember that there is a 30-day waiting period before flood policy coverage goes into effect. You can determine your flood risk by contacting your insurance professional, local growth management agency, building and zoning department, or visiting floodsmart.gov.

4. Hurricane: $20 or less – Click here Strengthen Your Soffits

  • A residential soffit is a horizontal surface outside on the underside of the eaves. The eave is an area of the roof which overhangs the exterior walls. Properly installed and braced soffits resist wind forces and keep water out when the wind drives rain against the outside walls and up into the attic of your home. So follow these DIY steps to ensure that soffits stay in place when it matters most. A caulk gun is typically under five dollars, and a tube of caulk is an average of three dollars.

5. Tornado: Approximately $3000 – Click here Build or Buy a Safe Room or Shelter

  • Having a tornado safe room or shelter in your home can help provide near-absolute protection for you and your family from injury or death caused by the dangerous forces of extreme winds. Having a safe room can also relieve some of the anxiety created by an oncoming tornado threat.
  • According to FEMA, prefabricated safe rooms typically cost less than site-built safe rooms and are available in smaller sizes. A small, 10-square-foot, residential, prefabricated safe room may cost as little as $3,000.

6. Wildfire: No Cost to Low Cost – Click Here Create a Defensible Space

  • If combustible yard debris, trees, shrubs, other vegetation, or materials surround your home, your property is at a heightened risk of wildfires. With a wildfire-resistant landscaping plan, you can make a defensible space around your home and reduce your wildfire threat. Defensible space is one of the most cost-effective ways to protect a building from a wildfire.
  • Limit the amount of flammable vegetation and materials surrounding the home and increase the remaining vegetation’s moisture content. This design breaks down into zones. Zone 1 is closest to your home; Zones 2-3 move further away. Here are some basics for the homeowner to get started.
    • Zone 1:
      • This well-irrigated area surrounds your home for at least 30 feet on all sides, allowing room for fire suppression equipment if needed. Clear combustible materials; replace flammable vegetation; prune branches and shrubs to create 15 feet of space from the structure, from the ground, and between trees. Limit plants to carefully spaced low flammability species. Consider landscaping alternatives to shrubs, such as a rock garden.
    • Zone 2:
      • 30-100 feet out. Use low flammability plants that are low growing. Replace flammable vegetation, create “fuel breaks” such as driveways and gravel walkways, prune tree limbs 6 to 10 feet from the ground. The irrigation system should include this section.
    • Zone 3:
      • 100-200 feet out. Remove underbrush and thin vegetation, ensure that you place firewood at least 100 feet away from the structure, and keep tall trees from creating touching canopies.
  • Remember, before fire season begins, remove combustible litter on roofs and gutters and trim tree branches that overhang the roof and chimney. Consult your local or state fire agency or qualified fire management specialist about codes, requirements, and standards related to defensible space.

 7. Winter Freeze: Cost typically under $20 – Click Here Foam, Dome, and Drip

  • Frozen water pipes are one of the costliest threats to your home. You can prevent frozen water pipes by doing something called Foam, Dome, and Drip.
    • FOAM: Insulate pipes exposed to the elements or cold drafts. You can stop pipes from freezing and save energy for as little as $1 per 6′ of insulation. By keeping your water warmer, you reduce the amount of energy needed to heat water in the cold, winter months.
    • DOME: Place an insulating dome or other coverings on outdoor faucets and spigots to reduce the likelihood of water pipes freezing, expanding, and causing a costly leak. The cost of these domes is less than three dollars each.
    • DRIP: Allow a slow drip from your faucets to reduce the buildup of pressure in the pipes. Even if the pipes freeze, the water system’s released pressure will reduce the likelihood of a rupture. If you are going out of town and suspect the temperature will drop, turn off the water and open all of the taps to drain the water system. This way, pipes won’t freeze, and you won’t return home to a mess. FREE!

8. Create a Home Inventory: No Cost – Click Here

  • One of the fastest and simplest ways to create your inventory is by using your mobile phone to both video and photograph items as well as entire rooms, closets, and drawer contents. As you map out the plan for your inventory, think about each room and section of your home. Don’t forget your attic, basement, closets, garage, and detached structures, such as tool sheds. For a full detailed list on how to create a home inventory, click here.

9. Have an Insurance Checkup: No Cost – Click Here

  • Review your coverage with your insurance agent to make sure you have the right financial resources to rebuild, recover, and bounce back from a disaster. These are the topics that you should be sure to discuss:
  • Coverages – Know Your Basics
    • What types of things does my policy cover?
  • Deductibles and Claims
    • For example, did you know that you may have coverage for food that spoils when the power fails even if your home isn’t damaged? Moreover, did you know that food spoilage coverage is often deductible-free?
  • Discounts and Incentives
    • What types of discounts are available?
    • Does my community’s building code affect my rates?
  • For full instructions on having an insurance checkup, click here.

10. Know Your Building Code: No Cost Inspect to Protect.org

  • Building codes are the foundation for resilience and can be complex; however, you can determine your community’s type of building code by visiting the consumer-friendly Inspect2Protect.org. InspectToProtect.org allows you to identify the building codes by inputting their address to see a map with a color-coded analysis. Once you understand how your home was built, you will have the knowledge needed to better prepare for severe weather events and natural disasters.

For more information, visit www.flash.org or email info@flash.org.

The Five Steps to #HurricaneStrong

Posted on by
Reply

Get your home and family hurricane season ready by preparing before a storm approaches by following these five #HurricaneStrong steps.

Personal Safety – Know Your Evacuation Zone

One of the most critical steps for survival is to identify whether you reside in a storm surge evacuation zone and to develop a plan for where you will be when the waters rise. Once you have your plan in place, heed all evacuation orders, and do so quickly. Remember, making the right decision to either stay or leave on a timely basis will keep you, your family, and your community’s first responders out of harm’s way. Use this updated list from FLASH to Find Your Evacuation Zone today.

Family Preparedness – Secure Supplies and Build a Kit

You’ll need to plan for two situations—remaining home or evacuating to a different location. Click here for a comprehensive list of supplies that you will need to stay comfortable and safe.

Related Podcasts:

  1. Skills + Supplies Today = Safety and Survival Tomorrow feat. Sean Reilly, District Manager for Lowe’s along North and South Carolina coast-between Myrtle Beach and Morehead City
  2. #HurricaneStrong Home Hacks that Save Time and Money feat. Bill Ferimer, Lowe’s Store Manager in Wilmington, North Carolina

Financial Security – Talk with Your Insurance Agent 

Homeowners, renters, and flood insurance policies are the most effective financial recovery tools available for storm victims, but often many realize too late that flood insurance is a separate policy that requires a 30-day waiting period. It’s likely that you won’t be able to add a flood policy or change any of your regular policy coverages if a storm is imminent, but you should still contact your agent or company in advance. Understanding your policy limits, co-pays, deductibles, and where to call with any claims will come in handy if you are affected by the storm. Find out what types of insurance you need in this guide, If Disaster Strikes will You Be Covered? 

Related Podcasts:

  1. Have an Insurance Checkup and Make Your Policy #HurricaneStrong feat. Amanda Chase, State Farm Agent
  2. Take Steps Today for a Smooth Hurricane Claim Process Tomorrow feat. Elizabeth Gulick – Vice President of Claims Operations, USAA and member, FLASH Board of Directors

Strengthen Your Home – Reduce Home and Contents Damage

It’s time to get the house ready for hurricane season. A well-built home can stand up to hurricanes so gather the family to make sure your house is hurricane-ready. The best place to start is by visiting InspectToProtect.org. Use this tool to determine the building codes used in your community today or contact your local government for information about building codes used in the past.

You can strengthen your home by performing a Do-It-Yourself Wind Inspection to find out what needs attention. Once you finish the inspection you can get started with these one hour, one day or one weekend activities. You can find checklists and how-to videos here.

Related Podcasts:

  1. The Scoop on Hurricane Shutters feat. Tim Robinson, Managing Partner of (GPP) and President of the International Hurricane Protection Association
  2. Anne Cope on Science That Makes Us #HurricaneStrong feat. Dr. Anne Cope, Chief Engineer, IBHS

Community Service – Help Your Neighbor

You and your family are now prepared to confront a hurricane, its time to think about how you can help your community. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

  • Be sure everyone has a plan. Exchange information so you can stay in touch.
  • Discuss how you may be able to help each other if someone is out of town. Neighbors can help each other by clearing yard debris and creating a checklist of the items to bring inside during a high-wind event.
  • Get involved in community-wide efforts. One of the best things you can do for your neighbors, and yourself, is to be sure there’s a solid plan and a network of resources for everyone in the community, and that they know how to use them.

Whether you reside along the coast or well inland, planning now and following the above advice can help you should a storm head your way. For more information, visit www.flash.org, email info@flash.org, follow @FederalAlliance on Twitter, follow FLASH on Facebook, or call (877) 221-SAFE (7233).

How to Be #HurricaneStrong for Michael

Posted on by
Reply
  1. Minimize Danger – Understand the Power of Rushing Water

According to the National Hurricane Center, storm surge accounts for approximately half the deaths in hurricanes since 1970. The National Weather Service (NWS) tells us that these tragedies happen because people underestimate the force, speed, and power of water. A modest six inches of fast-moving water can knock down an adult, 12 inches can carry away a small car, and 24 inches will move an SUV. That’s why FLASH and NWS created the Turn Around, Don’t Drown program in 2003 with lifesaving reminders. Watch this video to learn more, and remember that where it rains, it can flood.

  1. Know Your Zone – Define Evacuation Needs

One of the most critical steps for survival is to identify whether you reside in a storm surge evacuation zone and to develop a plan for where you will be when the waters rise. Once you have your plan in place, heed all evacuation orders, and do so quickly. Remember, making the right decision to either stay or leave on a timely basis will keep you, your family, and your community’s first responders out of harm’s way. Use this updated list from FLASH to Find Your Evacuation Zone today.

  1. Avoid Regrets – Secure Supplies and Build a Kit

You’ll need to plan for two situations—remaining home or evacuating to a different location. Click here for a comprehensive list of supplies that you will need to stay comfortable and safe.

  1. Act Now – Reduce Home and Contents Damage

You still have time to take some meaningful steps to protect your property the storm. Take the following actions to protect from expected flooding:

  • Clean out gutters and ensure downspouts are clear to allow water to flow away from the home.
  • Prepare and place sandbags using these steps to ensure they don’t topple. (Don’t forget to review safe disposal guidelines.)
  • Elevate, wrap, and move valuable carpets, electronics, and furniture to a higher floor or alternate location.
  • Secure cleanup materials (masks, gloves, mops, buckets, bleach, etc.) before the storm.

Click here for a full list of pre-storm flood mitigation options. If you reside in an area where high winds are expected, click on this link to read or watch a video with hurricane prep steps broken into one-hour, one-day, and one-weekend checklists.

  1. Talk with Your Insurance Agent

Homeowners, renters, and flood insurance policies are the most effective financial recovery tools available for storm victims, but often many realize too late that flood insurance is a separate policy that requires a 30-day waiting period. It’s likely that you won’t be able to add a flood policy or change any of your regular policy coverages if a storm is imminent, but you should still contact your agent or company in advance. Understanding your policy limits, co-pays, deductibles, and where to call with any claims will come in handy if you are affected by the storm. Find out what types of insurance you need in this guide, If Disaster Strikes will You Be Covered? 

Whether you reside along the coast or well inland, planning now and following the above advice can help you any storm heads your way. For more information, visit www.flash.org, email info@flash.org, follow @FederalAlliance on Twitter, follow FLASH on Facebook, or call (877) 221-SAFE (7233).