Experts advise an "all-hazard
approach" when safeguarding your
home.

Safeguarding Your Home

Whether you live in a mansion or a mobile home, a combination of common household items and common sense can protect against a wide range of natural and man-made emergencies. Many of the same improvements that boost energy-efficiency will also make a home a more secure and flexible shelter.

"It's best to look at things from an all-hazard approach," says Jared Bernstein, spokesman for the New York City Office of Emergency Management. "For a lot of our residents, hurricanes, floods, power outages, heavy snowfalls, ice storms, and heat waves can be counted upon to happen more frequently [than terrorist attacks.]"

If you have advance warning of a potential threat, evacuation to safer areas or specially built buildings is the best approach. Be sure to have a backup "rally point" near your home where your family can gather before leaving together; an out-of-state friend can be designated to field calls in case local phone service is disrupted.

Bernstein's office also recommends keeping "go bags" of important documents such as birth certificates, deeds and prescription slips and contact and meeting information in waterproof holders. Copies of keys, credit cards, cash in small denominations, bottled water, high-energy, non-perishable foods such as granola bars, a small flashlight, radio, first-aid kit and sturdy walking shoes round out its contents. Smaller versions can be created for your car and workplace.