And no, no one is happy in the end, not even Mr. Mogambo! Worry not, here are some ways for safeguarding your home against different disasters - natural or otherwise. At the end of the day, being prepared and staying alert never hurts.
Buckle Up against Nature's Wrath
Do you stay at a disaster-prone area? Is there a constant worry of when the next disaster will strike? Being unprepared might cause irreparable damage. Despite all her gentleness, there's no telling when Mother Nature might choose to strike down upon us. The recent Hudhud cyclone has pretty much left nothing to the imagination. So buckle up and lay down a disaster management plan. Educate your family about the do's and don'ts when a calamity strikes. Howsoever baffling it might seem, but all it takes to safeguard your humble abode against natural disasters is make a practical interior arrangement of the house. Get rid of defective wiring, leak-proof the walls and educate the family about the various escape routes and safe spots. With the onset of possible disaster warnings: Get an emergency bag ready that includes all essentials like torches, food and water supply, spare clothes, money, radio etc. Follow the instructions given by the disaster management squad.
Shockproof Your Home
You may have heard of several cases of fatality due to electrocution and short circuits. Short circuits can cause overheating which in turn can start a fire. This is how you can stay safe: Fix all the frayed wires and faulty circuit interrupters at home. Install circuit breakers near all the power-intensive appliances. Unplug electronics when not in use. Putting your computer on a standby mode will not help. Shut it down completely.
Brace against Gas Explosions
Gas explosions have been the cause of many deaths and property demolition in the past. Even mindless actions like leaving the gas supply on, when not in use can trigger off an explosion. This is just how fragile gas is and how responsibly it needs to be used.
Prevention is always better than cure. It is advisable to install gas detectors at strategic spots. Always remember to turn off the gas supply soon after you're done for the day in the kitchen.
However, if you smell a gas leak, do the following:
- Start by switching off the gas supply
- Keep all the doors and windows open
- Switch off the main electrical board to prevent fire
- Finally, call in the experts
You never know with fire, and you never can be sure. You might leave the iron box on or accidentally knock off the lampshade onto the carpet, and a fatal accident is seconds away. It doesn't always need to be your fault, though - even electrical wires exposed to clothing items might trigger a mishap. The mishaps can be minor or major, but you're always in for unnecessary trouble any way. Here are some ways to safeguard yourself and your family:
- Keep inflammable substances out of reach of children.
- Turn off all lightings like candles, diya, incense sticks before leaving home
- Keep a fire extinguisher and blanket handy to help you in case of emergency.
Invest in Home Insurance Plans
Purchase an ideal insurance policy that covers natural disasters and accidental damages of your home. This will provide a financial support. Choose a cover depending on the disasters hitting the specific region. For example, it will be sensible to select a cover for water damages, if you live in flood-prone coastal Andhra Pradesh. Yes, disasters are unavoidable, but we can try our best to stay safe by being prepared for the worst. The important thing here is to be alert and updated, and ensure proper precaution to keep your lovely home protected against disasters.