Be Prepared! : Rooftop Views

Rooftop Views

Be Prepared!

Being a girl, I was never a Boy Scout. But I knew lots of them. And everyone knows their motto is "Be Prepared." With the recent anniversary of the Katrina disaster and with wild fires raging in the West and earthquakes seeming to be happening more often, all of us should take the motto to heart.

Roger Faris, a Disaster Mitigation Counselor for FEMA, has a website called www.homefree.com where he advises people on how best to be prepared in case of a disaster. Among his many pieces of advice are:

• Home emergencies - be prepared: severe weather or seismic events can cause power outages, fires, gas leaks or other damage to your home. Homeowners can get through these difficult times easier by:

1. Knowing how and when to shut off utilities;
2. Having a power outage kit handy;
3. Having an evacuation plan in the case of a fire;
4. Having an emergency supply of food, water and medications readily accessible.

• Protecting Your Home from Basement Flooding: In many cases, faulty roof drainage, poor lot grading, improper or clogged foundation drains or disposal of storm water in the sanitary sewer are the reasons behind basement flooding. Homeowners can take specific actions to avoid many types of basement flooding by:

1. Ensuring downspouts extend at least 6 feet from the basement;
2. Installing flood-proofing devices, such as a sump pump or back flow value;
3. Connecting a backwater valve to prevent sewage from backing up into your basement.

• Earthquake Preparedness: Older homes often need a seismic retrofit to help them better withstand the forces generated by large earthquakes. Non-structural improvements such as proper strapping of the water heater, securing heavy or tall objects and cabinet latches are easy ways to make a home safe.

We would urge you to go to Mr. Faris' website and avail yourself of his tips. You can never be too prepared!