Residents of coastal areas most likely to incur damage from hurricanes' violent winds usually get plenty of warning to evacuate their homes and get to safety. However, there's not much they can do about the homes and possessions they leave behind.
Or is there? Several Web sites offer information on the best ways to minimize storm damage to houses and other buildings. For example, a newly launched site of the Institute for Business & Home Safety (www.ibhs.org) has a brochure in PDF format that can be printed out and used as a checklist for making sure your home is as secure as possible. The site also features video guides to protecting buildings from all kinds of natural disasters, such as tornadoes, earthquakes and wildfires.
Fortifying your home against catastrophe involves taking a close look at not only new construction but also retrofit and even landscaping materials. Tips the IBHS offers include:
- Anchor the roof to the walls with metal clips and straps. Another option is to reinforce the con-nection between roof and walls with construction adhesive.
- Seal all roof sheathing joints with self-stick rubberized asphalt tape as a secondary moisture bar-rier. Install a roof covering designed to resist high winds.
For more information on keeping your family and your home safe from storms, visit these Web sites: