Home emergencies are, by nature, unexpected. Don’t let this stop you from making preparations at home to minimize the impact these disasters can have. Here are a few emergencies and ways that you can prepare for them.
Home Invasion
You might think it’s hard to prevent a home invasion. While you can’t necessarily prevent someone from breaking in, you can make it harder for them to obtain anything valuable while they are there. To do this, consider using a safe, like those from Southern California Security Centers, to store your most precious items, such as social security cards and copies of birth certificates. This can prevent the burglar from stealing your identity and causing further troubles for you in the future.
House Fire
House fires can be common, especially during the winter when extra electronic devices and outlets are in use. First, make sure that you only plug devices into outlets that are designed for them; never force something to plug in. Next, make sure to monitor things that are going to be plugged in for an extended period of time. If they become warm, unplug them. In the instance that a fire does start, the obvious priority is to get yourself and loved ones out of the house. Material things can be replaced; lives cannot be. Decide on a meeting place ahead of time, and call emergency services as soon as possible.
Power Outage
Power outages are easy to prepare for when they are short-term. However, long-term outages may require you to leave your house in favor of somewhere safer and more comfortable. You should always make sure you have plenty of candles and flashlights available, as well as batteries to run them. Avoid opening any freezer or refrigerator to prevent the food from warming up too fast. Also, have a stock of nonperishable food that you are able to eat at room temperature.
Broken Pipes
Pipes breaking is probably one of the most annoying emergencies to happen, especially if you aren’t home when it happens. Regular maintenance on your home can help prevent damage from occurring, and if the pipes do break you’ll likely end up having to call a plumber to make the repair. In this case, make sure your renter’s or homeowner’s insurance is current to aid you in replacing anything that might be ruined.
As you can see, home emergencies don’t have to be as intimidating as you might think. With the right preparation, you are able to prevent most damage from happening. This allows you to move on with your life much faster.