Disaster Preparation Can Save your Life
We have watched the devastation of hurricane Dorian in recent days. We have also witnessed first hand California wildfires and the losses they have caused. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those victims and our thanks to all of the first responders who have risked their lives to help. In recent articles, we have talked about how insurance will respond to various California disasters. But we wanted to provide information about how to prepare and manage through a disaster, including; wildfires, floods, earthquake, and even high winds.
There are different actions you can take depending on the type of disaster, so let’s look at some of the more relevant ones. Always follow instructions issues by local, state, and or federal authorities.
San Diego Wildfire Preparation
- Prepare a defensible zone around your home by cleaning old shrubs and planting lawn. Trim trees regularly to keep branches a minimum of 10 feet from other trees.
- Use fire-resistant landscaping.
- Use fire-resistant building materials, especially on your roof.
- Cover all vent openings with 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch metal mesh. Do not use fiberglass or plastic mesh because they can melt and burn.
- Deck surfaces within 8 feet of the building should be built with ignition-resistant* non-combustible materials.
- Make sure your address is clearly visible from the road.
- Maintain all driveways in accordance with local building codes.
- Have garden hoses that can extend to your entire yard.
San Diego Flood Preparation
- Make sure you are aware of different evacuation routes
- Confirm if you are in a flood plain and if so secure flood insurance.
- Have extra water stored.
- Surfaces within 10 feet of the building should be built with, non-combustible, or other approved materials.
- Install check valves in sewer lines to prevent floodwater from backing up into the drains of your home.
- Waterproof your foundation and basement.
- Install pumps in your crawl space and basement that are activated when water appears.
- Construct barriers (levees, beams, floodwalls) to stop floodwater from entering your home
Earthquake Preparation
- Identify the best places for cover in your building or home.
- Teach everyone in your family a signal if they are trapped.
- Learn basic first aid and CPR skills.
- Create a really or meeting point where all family members can meet.
- Know where utility turn-offs are located
- Create emergency contact lists, sort on the web, and keep a paper copy.
- Create a home inventory
- Call your agent and ask for an earthquake insurance quote.
- Fasten shelves securely to walls.
- Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves.
- Secure a water heater by strapping it to the wall studs and bolting it to the floor.
General Disaster Safety Tips
- Have supplies for everyday needs
- Flashlights
- First aid kit
- Create a go-bag for every family member
- Have extra water for three to five days
- Keep extra cash
- Nonelectric can opener
- Listen to a battery-operated radio or television for emergency information.
- Check on the elderly and disabled, or children who may need special help.
- Stay out of damaged or destroyed buildings
- Use glow sticks to test water depth.
- Have goggles and air masks for each family member.
- Re-stock your supplies every six months or so.
- Have an out of state relative act as a communication source.
- Make sure you have portable chargers for cell phones.
- Have a supply of building materials on hand in case you need to board up your home.
- Make sure you have all important documents like birth certificate, insurance, birth certificates, and other documents in a fireproof safe.
- Take photos of all the documents and keep on your phone. Or send copies to your phone.
Federal agencies, like Ready.gov, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also are valuable resources for emergency preparedness.
McCormick Insurance Professionals
Since 1992, Wayne McCormick has provided homeowners insurance coverage at competitive rates for homeowners and renters in San Diego County and Southern California.
Let us help you save even more by combining your home and auto insurance. We can also help you can save hundreds on your life insurance, umbrella insurance, motorcycle insurance, boat / watercraft insurance, RV / travel trailer insurance, commercial insurance and more. We even offer surety bonds!
Are you curious to know how you can save more by combining your auto and home insurance? (619) 276-0492. The Wayne McCormick Insurance team in San Diego is ready to serve you, and help you save on your auto, homeowners, condo or apartment building insurance
. In recent articles, we have talked about how insurance will respond to various California disasters. But we wanted to provide information about how to prepare and manage through a disaster, including; wildfires, floods, earthquake, and even high winds.
There are different actions you can take depending on the type of disaster, so let’s look at some of the more relevant ones. Always follow instructions issues by local, state, and or federal authorities.
San Diego Wildfire Preparation
- Prepare a defensible zone around your home by cleaning old shrubs and planting lawn. Trim trees regularly to keep branches a minimum of 10 feet from other trees.
- Use fire-resistant landscaping.
- Use fire-resistant building materials, especially on your roof.
- Cover all vent openings with 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch metal mesh. Do not use fiberglass or plastic mesh because they can melt and burn.
- Deck surfaces within 8 feet of the building should be built with ignition-resistant* non-combustible materials.
- Make sure your address is clearly visible from the road.
- Maintain all driveways in accordance with local building codes.
- Have garden hoses that can extend to your entire yard.
San Diego Flood Preparation
- Make sure you are aware of different evacuation routes
- Confirm if you are in a flood plain and if so secure flood insurance.
- Have extra water stored.
- Surfaces within 10 feet of the building should be built with, non-combustible, or other approved materials.
- Install check valves in sewer lines to prevent floodwater from backing up into the drains of your home.
- Waterproof your foundation and basement.
- Install pumps in your crawl space and basement that are activated when water appears.
- Construct barriers (levees, beams, floodwalls) to stop floodwater from entering your home
Earthquake Preparation
- Identify the best places for cover in your building or home.
- Teach everyone in your family a signal if they are trapped.
- Learn basic first aid and CPR skills.
- Create a really or meeting point where all family members can meet.
- Know where utility turn-offs are located
- Create emergency contact lists, sort on the web, and keep a paper copy.
- Create a home inventory
- Call your agent and ask for an earthquake insurance quote.
- Fasten shelves securely to walls.
- Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves.
- Secure a water heater by strapping it to the wall studs and bolting it to the floor.
General Disaster Safety Tips
- Have supplies for everyday needs
- Flashlights
- First aid kit
- Create a go-bag for every family member
- Have extra water for three to five days
- Keep extra cash
- Nonelectric can opener
- Listen to a battery-operated radio or television for emergency information.
- Check on the elderly and disabled, or children who may need special help.
- Stay out of damaged or destroyed buildings
- Use glow sticks to test water depth.
- Have goggles and air masks for each family member.
- Re-stock your supplies every six months or so.
- Have an out of state relative act as a communication source.
- Make sure you have portable chargers for cell phones.
- Have a supply of building materials on hand in case you need to board up your home.
- Make sure you have all important documents like birth certificate, insurance, birth certificates, and other documents in a fireproof safe.
- Take photos of all the documents and keep on your phone. Or send copies to your phone.
Federal agencies, like Ready.gov, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also are valuable resources for emergency preparedness.
McCormick Insurance Professionals
Since 1992, Wayne McCormick has provided homeowners insurance coverage at competitive rates for homeowners and renters in San Diego County and Southern California.
Let us help you save even more by combining your home and auto insurance. We can also help you can save hundreds on your life insurance, umbrella insurance, motorcycle insurance, boat / watercraft insurance, RV / travel trailer insurance, commercial insurance and more. We even offer surety bonds!
Are you curious to know how you can save more by combining your auto and home insurance? (619) 276-0492. The Wayne McCormick Insurance team in San Diego is ready to serve you, and help you save on your auto, homeowners, condo or apartment building insurance