1. Safeguard your home. Check for potential hazards.
a. Bolt or strap down top-heavy objects, like bookshelves, water heaters and gas appliances, to prevent them from tipping over.
b. Check electrical connections and gas pipes for faulty joints and connections.
c. Place heavy objects on lower shelves.
d. Securely fasten shelves to walls.
e. Store bottled goods, glass, vases, china, and other breakables in low or closed cabinets or drawers.
f. Be sure your home is anchored firmly to its foundation and structurally safe.
g. Keep properly rated and tagged fire extinguishers on hand and with your family learn how to use them properly.
h. Store copies of important documents, such as insurance policies, deeds, and property records, in a safe place away from your home.
i. Store essential and/or unreplaceable items in waterproof unbreakable containers.
j. Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children.
k. Remove hazardous objects (ie. mirrors, bookshelves, heavy pots, hanging plants, etc.) from sleeping areas.
l. Properly store flammable liquids and gases and other combustible materials.
m. Locate potential fire hazards and reduce their likelihood.
2. Implement preventive safety measures for you and your family members.
a. Know where and how to shut off the gas or propane, electricity, and water at main switches and valves. Teach all responsible members how to do this.
b. Work out a plan detailing how you will get back together if you are separated during a disaster.
1) Discuss with your family what each person will do in case of a disaster.
2) Remember this plan should be flexible regarding time and location of each individual during any time of the day, week, or year.
3) Hold occasional drills so that your family knows what to do during and after a disaster.
c. Find out what to do and where to go in the case of an evacuation of your community. Learn the shortest and safest routes from your home, work, church, etc., to possible evacuations areas or centers. Take in to account that you may not be able to travel in vehicles and may need to travel on foot or bicycle.
d. Have a complete home storage including water, food, sanitary needs, medical needs and fuel.
e. Have a 72-hour kit in an easily accessible place.
f. Keep a flashlight and or light stick, "jump-in" clothes. an extra pair of shoes and prescription glasses by your bed.
g. Put together a complete first aid kit and have every responsible person in your family know how to use its contents.
h. Learn basic first aid and CPR. Take a CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams) class.
i, Install smoke, propane, natural gas, and/or carbon monoxide detectors and test them regularly.
j. Have an out-of-state contact telephone number that everyone can call to check-in with. It usually easier during a disaster to call out-of-state than call within the disaster area. Remember just check-in do not tie up the phones with lengthy conversations.
k. Learn the warning signals given by government and local authorities, what they mean, and how to respond to them. (EAS - Emergency Alert System, EBS - Emergency Broadcast System,
WABS - Wide Area Broadcast System)
3. Have your home inspected for compliance with local building codes. Many homes are destroyed because they do not meet local building codes.
4. If you live in a earthquake, flood, hurricane, or tornado prone area, you may want to consider adding special insurance riders to your home-owners policy.