Keeping your family safe during an emergency is going to require foresight and careful planning. From house fires to break-ins, you want to be absolutely sure that you and your loved ones are ready for any eventuality. Here is a closer look at a few common emergencies and some steps that you can take to prepare for them.

Fires

Over 350,000 residential fires occur every year, and that makes fires one of the most common home emergencies. The best way to protect your family and property from one of these catastrophes is it install multiple smoke detectors and fire alarms throughout your home. Once in place, those devices must be tested every two or three weeks. You also need to invest in two or three high-quality fire extinguishers specifically designed for residential buildings.

Break-Ins

Many different tactics can be used to lower your risk of a break-in. Basic security devices such as deadlocks, alarms, and remote cameras should deter the vast majority of criminals. You must also try to hide the valuables inside your home so that criminals don’t commit a crime of opportunity. Your neighbors are another line of defense against break-ins, and that is why you want to make friends with everyone in your neighborhood.

Floods or Other Catastrophic Weather Events

If you live in an area that is prone to extreme weather, then you will need to upgrade a few different parts of your home. Storm shutters, sump pumps, and roof anchors are all simple additions that will reduce your risk of major damage. You can also invest in emergency supplies such as flashlights, space blankets, canned food, bottled water, and water purification tabs. When moving to a new city, you must contact the emergency planning department and ask for a copy of their evacuation plan as well.

Blackouts

A rolling blackout can spoil your refrigerated products and make your home extremely uncomfortable. In addition to having an emergency supply of food, you should also consider investing in emergency propane generators in Kitsap County or wherever you may live. A high-quality generator will power most of the electronics throughout your home including the HVAC system, refrigerator, lights, and sump pump. Companies, such as Kitsap Propane, can help you choose and install a generator system that has the proper output for your home.

An emergency can happen in the blink of an eye, and you never want to feel like your family’s safety and well-being are out of your control. Having emergency plans in place for those situations will put your family in the best possible position to avoid serious injuries and other long-term problems.