According to the American Red Cross, only a quarter of families are prepared for a natural disaster. So, what are you doing to ensure you're prepared for natural disasters? Have you followed FEMA's checklist of supplies, including storing nonperishable foods and water? If not, get started completing that check list. Have you protected your home from flooding and power outages? If not, start on these four projects:
1. Protect your electronics. There is a rush of electricity that often follows the power being restored after a blackout. The sudden rush of electricity frequently fries the silicon chips in your electronics. This is why you have those plug-in surge protectors on your home theater system and computers. However, modern heating and cooling equipment and laundry and kitchen appliances also have costly computer controls that could be fried during power surges. Additionally, cable wiring and phone lines can also have surges. Therefore, it's best to invest in a surge suppressor that will shield all the electronics in your home. Whole-home surge suppressors cost between $500 and $800 dollars.
2. Protect your basement. From heavy snow and rain to unfixed or hidden gutter and plumbing issues, you'll have a costly and time consuming mess if your crawlspace or basement fills with water. Plus, anything stored in the spaces can suffer irreversible water damage. A sump pump is a device that sits in a small hole in your basement floor. It turns on automatically when the hole fills with water. The more expensive units feature an alarm to alert you the moment flooding begins. There is also an option for a secondary battery operated pump that will take over automatically if the primary pump stops functioning for any reason. It will cost between $500 and $1,000 to install a sump pump and an additional $800 to $1,000 to add a secondary battery backup.
3. Have emergency power. A portable generator is a small motor on wheels that's powered by gas. It's started with a pull cord and jacked into a exterior wall receptacle. During a blackout, having a portable generator to power select lights, heating and air, your refrigerator, and even internet and phones will be invaluable. Most electrical experts advise that you have an electrician install a transfer switch to disengage the utility power coming into your house when the generator is in use. The total cost of a portable generator and transfer switch installation averages between $1,000 and $2,000 dollars.
4. Evacuate. Of course, you want to stay and protect your home and belongings, but you might need to evacuate quickly and with little warning to protect yourself. A home survival kit, with contents like water-purification tablets, matches, blankets, and an all-purpose knife, can be purchased for about $120 dollars. You can add your own survival essentials, such as cash and any routine medications, and be ready to evacuate quickly if needed.