Every home has areas that are safer than others during a disaster. Do a walkthrough of your home to identify and correct the following dangers:

·        Beds under windows. Move beds out from under windows that could break in a disaster.

·        Beds below heavy mirrors, framed pictures, hanging plants. Heavy objects can fall during a disaster.

·        Breakable or heavy objects on shelves. Consider a cabinet with latching doors. Use museum wax to secure fragile items in place

·        Loose latches, such as magnetic push latches on cabinets and cupboards. Cabinets can swing open during a disaster causing contents to spill

·        Glass bottles in medicine cabinets. Put glass containers on lower shelves or near the back.

·        Flammable materials close to heat sources. Painting or cleaning products should be stored in the garage or an outdoor shed.

·        Heavy or glass objects next to exits or escape routes in you home. Move them for easy exit.

·        Objects with wheels. These can roll during a disaster. Block the wheels.

·        Dead or diseased tree limbs near the house. Tree limbs can fall and damage the house or hurt people.

·        Brush, dry grasses or overhanging trees within forty feet of your house.

·        Unreinforced masonry that could fall during high winds or earthquakes (chimneys in particular).

Decide and discuss with your family where the safe and unsafe areas are in your home. Decide where you should meet inside and outside the home when disaster strikes.