Summary
We want our home to be inviting and comforting - a safe place - but it's all too easy to overlook hazards when you feel invincible. Take a closer look and cross off some home safety to-do's this month. You'll be better prepared the next time a disaster comes knocking on your door.
This 10-post toolkit was released as part of the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management's yearlong 12 Ways to Prepare social media campaign in 2024. This campaign aimed to meet residents where they were at with informational action items, encouraging them to be #ReadyOK while equipping them to that end. August's focus was Make Home Safer, and the campaign touched on easy steps residents can take to protect their home from disasters such as high winds, flooding, fire and earthquakes.
1. Review
CHECK ✅ In July, we took steps to #PlanWithNeighbors. Now, we’re aiming to #MakeHomeSafer!
We all want our home to be inviting and comforting - a safe place - but it's all too easy to overlook hazards when you feel invincible. Take a closer look and cross off some home safety to-do's this month. You'll be better prepared the next time a disaster comes knocking on your door.
We’ll be exploring easy steps all month long 🤗 Follow along or visit the link below to get ‘em now!
https://oklahoma.gov/oem/readyok/be-prepared/twelveways/make-home-safer.html
#YouCan #ResolveToBeReady #12WaysToPrepare #MakeHomeSafer #ReadyOK #OklahomaWay
2. Intro
It’s #DIY time!! 🛠️ This month, we’ll be exploring common home hazards you can address to #MakeHomeSafer from fire, high winds, flooding and earthquakes. What can you check off your #HomeSafety to-do list this month?
Visit the link below for some ideas!
https://oklahoma.gov/oem/readyok/be-prepared/twelveways/make-home-safer.html
#YouCan #MakeHomeSafe #12WaysToPrepare #ReadyOK
3. Home Hazards
Your home is your safe place… right?
It’s easy to overlook or brush off potential hazards when we FEEL safe.
👀 How many #Hazards can you spot in this graphic❓
...
Hints:
-Every home should have working smoke alarms ALL the time
-Flood prevention measures should be installed to keep water away from the home
-Heavy items should be stored on low shelves in case of earthquakes
#YouCan #MakeHomeSafer #12WaystoPrepare #ReadyOK
4. Tree Management
Everyone likes a tree canopy until it's too close for comfort 🌳 Tree debris can be dangerous during a storm and overwhelming to clean up afterward, especially if it’s on top of your house!
Mitigate your risk by routinely removing dead or damaged branches from your trees, removing large trees that are too close to your home and trimming back branches that overhang your roof 🏡
⚠️ Tree-trimming and removal can be tricky and downright dangerous. When in doubt, consult a reputable, insured, International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)-certified arborist.
#YouCan #MakeHomeSafer #StormSafety #12WaystoPrepare #ReadyOK
5. Consider a Saferoom
There is nothing that can give you peace of mind in the #TornadoCapitaloftheWorld like a properly-built safe room or storm shelter. A safe room that adheres to FEMA standards can withstand the strongest tornadoes whether it is above or below ground 🌪️🔒
Learn more about the FEMA criteria here: https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/risk-management/building-science/safe-rooms
Worried about the cost? Check whether your city or county has a local rebate program, or ask your local credit union about a special low-interest loan.
#YouCan #MakeHomeSafer #StormSafety #12WaystoPrepare #ReadyOK
6. Maintain Smoke Alarms
In the event of a 🔥, it only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house or for it to be engulfed in flames. Working smoke alarms can give you the heads up you need to get out! 🏃🏻♂️💨
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, and plan to wipe down the units and change their batteries every six months, unless you’re using 10-year lithium batteries. Daylight saving time can be a helpful reminder to do this.
Replace smoke alarms every 10 years or according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Audible alarms are available for visually impaired people and smoke alarms with a vibrating pad or flashing light are available for the hearing impaired.
#YouCan #MakeHomeSafer #FireSafety #12WaystoPrepare #ReadyOK
7. Keep 'Em Around
#MakeHomeSafer by keeping appropriate fire extinguishers on hand, and know how to use them! 🧯
There are several types made for extinguishing specific types of fires:
Class A: Wood, paper, textiles, most plastics
Class B: Flammable liquids, oil, gas and grease
Class C: Electrical, energized electrical equipment
Class D: Chemical and combustible metals
Class K: Kitchen fires, such as vegetable oils, animal oils or fats
You'll want a multi-class (usually A, B, & C), independent testing laboratory-certified fire extinguisher that's big enough to put out small fires but not too heavy that it's difficult to use. The weight of an extinguisher roughly translates to how many seconds of spray you'll get.
❗️Fire blankets can also be used to wrap someone up who has caught fire or easily smother other small fires.
#YouCan #MakeHomeSafer #FireSafety #12WaystoPrepare #ReadyOK
8. Secure the Shake
You never know when the next large earthquake will rattle your home! Be sure to take precautions now ⬇️
🟪 Secure heavy items in your home like bookcases, refrigerators, water heaters, televisions and objects that hang on walls to wall studs with anchors.
🟪 Store heavy and breakable objects on low shelves, and remove items from above your bed.
🟪 Consider making improvements to your home to fix structural issues that could cause your home to collapse during an earthquake.
🟪 Consider obtaining an earthquake insurance policy. A standard homeowner’s insurance policy does not cover earthquake damage.
#YouCan #MakeHomeSafer #EarthquakeSafety #12WaystoPrepare #ReadyOK
9. Prepare for Flooding
There’s little time to act when the rain’s coming down like 🐱 & 🐶! If you live in a flood-prone area, there are many steps you can take BEFORE to prepare your home ⬇️
🍃 Keep your gutters and drains free of debris. The goal is to keep water away from your foundation. Install a french drain if necessary.
🛠️ Keep emergency building materials on hand, such as plywood, plastic sheeting, lumber nails, a hammer and saw, a pry bar, shovels, sandbags, etc.
⚓ Elevate and anchor your critical utilities, including electrical panels, propane tanks, sockets, wiring, appliances and heating systems.
💩 Install check or backflow valves in sewer lines to prevent sewage from backing up into your home
🔋 If you have a basement, install sump pumps with battery back-ups.
#YouCan #MakeHomeSafer #FloodSafety #12WaystoPrepare #ReadyOK
10. Flood Zone Check
💧💧 Flood Prep Check💧💧
🌊 Do you live in a flood zone? Know for sure. Visit the Oklahoma Water Resource Board’s dashboard to find out: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/08fca9fea74a4a6a96e14a1caf40c695
☑️ Most homeowners/renters insurance does not cover flood damage. Do a check-up with your agent to make sure you have the right coverage.
#YouCan #MakeHomeSafer #FloodSafety #12WaystoPrepare #ReadyOK
