As a homeowner, you will no doubt be aware that your property is probably your single most significant asset, so you will want to be sure you look after it properly. A big part of that is ensuring that the house is ready in an emergency, which is simple maintenance and planning. Here are our five top tips to ensure your house is set up and ready for any emergency.
Have Emergency Numbers to Hand
Why have the numbers noted down, I hear you ask? We know 911, and anything else can be Googled, so it’s all good. This may be true; however, if you are flooding or a tree has fallen through the roof, you may not have time to find the best company to call. If you have a regular or trusted roofer, plumber, or another contractor, it’s vital to have their emergency number saved in your phone.
Regularly Check Your Insurance
Insurance needs to be checked each year as you renew because the great deal you were getting last year is not necessarily the best for you. Also, the renewal price is usually not the best, and you can find the insurance terms may not still suit. Sometimes the conditions change from year to year; they could exclude previously covered events, so if you live near a river and flooding is suddenly excluded, this would be a major issue. You can check home insurance quotes quickly and easily online.
Keep a Maintenance Schedule
There are so many things in your house that require attention at regular intervals. For example, your boiler and fire alarms need checking annually. Other items may not be considered until they are required in an emergency. If you have a backup generator for your power, it needs to be in working order to be called upon at a moment’s notice. Check out this website for the best generator repair and maintenance guys, and make sure you get a regular inspection to ensure it is working when needed.
Garden
Even something as simple as keeping the garden in check can be of benefit if you keep your plants in check use good insecticides, then you can be sure that nothing will grow from your garden into the structure of the building through overgrown garden areas. It may sound like this is unlikely, but you don’t want any unknown weaknesses in the structure.
Know Your Area
How you prepare your home for an emergency may depend on where you live and the typical type of emergencies you might encounter in your area. If you live in a flood plain, it would be wise to invest in barrier defenses. If you are in the tornado belt, then extra protection for windows, doors, and fences is in order. Earthquake areas will require attention to the foundations of the buildings.