Power Outages |
Purchase a back-up generator for your home. Make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions in order to properly hook one up or get an electrician to do it. |
Summer Weather |
- Buy fans to spread cool air around your home.
- Close floor heat registers nearby.
- Install air conditioners snugly and insulate spaces around them. Check air ducts for proper insulation.
- Install temporary reflectors, such as aluminum foil covered cardboard, to reflect any heat back outside.
- Keep the cool air inside by weather-stripping doors and windowsills.
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Thunderstorms & Lightning |
- Have your home inspected to make sure it is properly grounded for lightning strikes.
- Install a lightning protection system, which provides a safe path for grounding electric current. They are not noticeable and do not attract lightning. For local suppliers, look in the phonebook under Lightning Protection.
- Install surge protectors to shield electrical equipment and appliances. These range from surge protectors for each item to those that protect the entire house.
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Winter Weather |
- Check battery-powered equipment, heating fuel, fire extinguishers, and carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
- Install insulation and winter stripping.
- Insulate pipes that are exposed to the cold and remove garden hoses from outside faucets.
- Let faucets drip during subzero conditions (if pipes freeze easily) or if instructed by the water company. Be able to shut off water lines.
- Winterize your car, maintain a full tank of gas, and keep moisture out of the tank. Keep an emergency kit in your car to help you stay warm, visible, and alive if trapped.
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Additional Information |
To learn more about how you can protect your home, the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes has created a fantastic website with videos, do-it-yourself guides, and many other great resources. |