Step 4.a. Resilience for Homeowners
Taking a few simple steps now, like securing bookcases and making sure those smoke detectors are working, can make a big difference in the event of a disaster! Learn what you can do to make your home ready and resilient.
Your Impact
Action Steps & Tips
Introduction
There’s no place like home. Taking a few simple steps today can help keep our homes and families safe in the event of a disaster. Some of these steps are easy and low or no cost, while others take more upfront resources and planning. All of them will pay off when a natural disaster hits. The Federal Emergency Management Agency estimates that investments in steps to protect against disasters return fourfold, meaning for every $1 you invest to protect your home, you could save $4 in damages!
This action is part of the Get Prepared sequence, be sure to complete all Steps 1-5!
1Step 1: Know your local risks
Knowing what natural disaster risks you face is a huge first step in protecting your home! These risks vary widely, both by geography and for each home.
Action: Identify your local risks
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Know your local risks: have your disaster specific action list ready from Step 1. Find Local Risks and Resources.
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Identify risks around your home: Your home’s risks will also vary depending on its particular location and local features. Think about what happens around your home during different weather events. Do you live close to trees that might fall during a storm? Do you live at low elevation? A low elevation location, like a valley, may be at higher risk of flooding. Check for risks around your home and make a note of anything you find. A few things to look for include:
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Trees showing signs of distress that might fall during a storm. Consider contacting a qualified arborist to inspect and assess any large trees near your home.
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Check to see if you are in a floodplain — check your flood risk at floodfactor.com.
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Check to see if you are at risk for an avalanche or landslide. If you live at the base of a steep hillside or mountain, check with local emergency experts to assess your risk.
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Look for your proximity to the wildland urban interface, and your distance from a high fire threat zone.
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Know whether you live in an area that is likely to have frequent power outages or public safety power shutoffs (where the power is shut down during extreme weather).
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If you’re unsure about any features of your home or location, call a contractor with experience in local hazard mitigation for advice.
2Step 2: Identify and address non-structural hazards
Non-structural hazards include anything that isn’t part of the building itself that might be at risk or could cause damage.
Action: Identify and address non-structural hazards. 
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Make sure to secure all heavy or potentially hazardous items:
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Bolt and brace water heaters and gas appliances to wall studs. Have a professional install flexible fittings to avoid gas or water leaks.
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Anchor larger furniture like bookcases and cabinets to wall studs.
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Install strong latches or bolts on cabinet doors or put heavy items closer to the floor.
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Don’t hang heavy items like pictures or mirrors near beds or couches where people sleep or sit.
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Anchor overhead lighting fixtures to joists.
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Clear all dead or dying trees or tree limbs.
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- Maintain your home and property: Keep gutters and drains clear, protect pipes from freezing, and check for and repair roof damage and water leaks (see the How to Turn off your Utilities action for more information on protecting pipes.)
3Step 3: Identify and address structural & property hazards
Structural hazards are risks to your home that involve the building structure itself, like the roof, foundation, windows and chimneys. Prepping these parts of your home will make them safer and stronger during a disaster and strengthen the resilience of your home.
Action: Identify and assess structural hazards and make a plan for repairs
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Have a qualified contractor assess your home. The best way to identify potential structural hazards is to have a qualified contractor with expertise in natural disaster hazard mitigation provide recommendations for your unique home. Some key questions to ask:
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Does your foundation need repair? Is your home securely anchored to the foundation?
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Does your roof need repair or reinforcing?
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Do your windows need shutters or other protective barriers?
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Do any outdoor features need strengthening, like porches, decks, carports, and garage doors?
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Are chimneys or propane tanks secure or do they need to be strapped down?
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If you have a mobile home, does it need to be strapped to a slab?
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Prioritize projects and make a plan. Ask the contractor for advice on cost versus benefit to prioritize projects. If you are unable to afford weatherization or other energy-related home repairs, you may be eligible for help through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Find your state agency contact for more information on how to apply on this map.
4Step 4: Add in Disaster Specific Home Preparation steps
There are a few additional steps that are important to preparing your home. For example, if you are in a flood zone, it is important to know your Base Flood Elevation and have flood insurance, or for winter storms and extreme cold, having a safe backup heat source. Check the disaster specific actions that apply to your area, read through Step 3, and add any additional preparations to your list.
5Step 5: Install smoke, gas, and carbon monoxide alarms, and a fire extinguisher
Smoke, natural gas and carbon monoxide alarms save lives! They are required in most states, but older homes may not have them. If you need to buy them, you can find them online or at your local hardware store for $15-25 each.
Action: Install any missing alarms
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Smoke alarms: Install on or near the ceilings in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area (like hallways), and in common spaces like living and family rooms.
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Carbon monoxide alarm: Install a carbon monoxide detector on each floor of your home, ideally 5 feet high (since carbon monoxide is lighter than air, it rises, just like smoke.) Some detectors cover both smoke and carbon monoxide and last for 10-15 years.
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Natural gas detector: Natural gas is different from carbon monoxide, and has different detectors. Like carbon monoxide, natural gas is lighter than air, so it rises. Place natural gas detectors 5 feet high on every level of your home, especially near sources of gas like furnaces, stoves, and water heaters.
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Maintain your alarms: Make sure to have extra batteries on hand and test your alarms at least twice a year.
Action: Get a fire extinguisher. Make sure to purchase an ABC fire extinguisher, this means that it will work for the primary types of fires that could happen at home. You can buy one online or at your local hardware store for around $20-$30. Also, it’s important to know how to use your fire extinguisher! Watch this short helpful video to learn how.
6Step 6: Make sure your home is properly insured
In most locations, homeowner insurance policies cover damages from things like fire, hurricanes, and lightning, but not necessarily damage caused by earthquakes, flooding or landslides.
Action: Check your coverage, add insurance as needed and document:
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Check your coverage: Contact your home insurance agent to verify what is covered and ask about what additional policies you may need. It’s ok to ask lots of questions!
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Check for affordable insurance for high risk areas: If you live in a high risk area and you are having trouble finding affordable insurance, investigate your state’s Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan, which is a state-mandated, often privately-subsidized insurance program for high-risk locations.
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Consider Flood Insurance if your home is at risk for flooding: Most home insurance policies do not cover flooding, even if the flood was caused by a natural disaster that is covered by your plan, like a hurricane or tornado. Check the Flood action for more info.
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Document your stuff! Finally, document all your valuable possessions with photos and receipts if you have them so you can be compensated if they are damaged — this will give you financial security and peace of mind. A quick video walkthrough of your home is an easy way to document less valuable items for insurance.
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See if you qualify for a discount: If you make disaster improvements to your home, such as reinforced roofing or adding wind shutters, you may qualify for a discount on your insurance. Check with your agent to learn more.