Disaster Safety Blog

Things to know before you go

Whether you're going on vacation for spring break, travel extensively for business or pleasure, have rental property that is unoccupied, or share time between two homes, there are things you can and should do before closing up your house for any real length of time, according to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety.

Adjust Thermostat - One of the easiest things to do, but something easily forgotten, is adjusting the thermostat.

    * In colder climates, don't turn the thermostat off. Instead, lower it to a temperature that's warm enough to keep pipes from freezing but low enough that you are not spending money to heat an empty home. (No lower than 55 degrees.)
    * In warmer climates, high temperatures and humidity can damage furniture or other home contents. In this case, set your air conditioner to 85 degrees.

Protect Plumbing - Both plastic (PVC) and copper pipes can burst. Pipes, water heaters and other appliances can leak, or in freezing weather, pipes can freeze and burst, which can cause major damage in a home left unattended.

    * If you are leaving for an extended period of time, the best protection is to have the water shut off and the water lines drained.
          o Seek the advice of a professional plumber, who can shut off the valve at the water meter and send water outdoors and away from the house or into a basement drain. Once this has been done, the plumber should flush all toilets and drain the showerhead pipe.
          o Shut off the gas to the water heater (or the gas company can do this for you), or turn the temperature control to a "vacation" setting. If your house has a water softener, shut off its supply line.
    * If you choose to leave the water service turned on or will be away only a short while:
          o Make sure all pipes are insulated, especially in a garage or basement next to an outside wall or in crawl spaces and the attic. These exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing.
          o Heat tape can also be used to wrap pipes. Wrap the tape or cables around water pipes, plug in the cord and the heating element will warm the pipes to prevent freezing. Closely follow all manufacturers' installation and operation instructions.
          o Turn off the water supply to individual fixtures like your washing machine, icemaker, toilets and sinks.
            Flooding often occurs when hoses are worn or ruptured, or there is a leak at the connection.
          o Don't leave appliances (dishwasher, washing machine or dryer) running when you leave, and check to make sure toilets aren't running. As an extra precaution, unplug your toaster, coffee maker, microwave oven, computer and television.
          o Make sure the sump pump is working, especially in late winter or early spring when melting snow or heavy rain increases the risk of basement flooding.

Plan for High Wind - If you're going to be away during a season that brings high wind, protect your property:

          o Trim dead limbs from trees and shrubbery and store outdoor furniture and other objects that could become damaging missiles if picked up by high wind.
          o Close and lock all doors, windows, skylights and vents to keep out wind and wind-driven rain.

Make Your House or Business Look Occupied - An empty, unsecured property can be a tempting target for thieves and vandals. 

    * Put interior and exterior lights on timers and/or motion sensors. Set the timers on staggered hours to turn lights on and off at different times.
    * Make sure tapered deadbolt locks all installed and in use on entry doors. The taper makes it almost impossible to use a wrench or other tool to twist the lock open.
    * Suspend mail service and newspaper delivery.
    * Install a monitored security system. (Insurers often provide discounts for devices that make a home safer, so consider the financial benefit.)
    * Inform the local police department that your house will be empty.

Wild weather puts properties at increased risk of damage

Weather across the U.S. is a case of extremes right now and threats to properties remain high. Take control of your risk, regardless of what threats you may be facing.

In the west and parts of the south and east, including Florida and Texas, drought conditions and windy weather have elevated the threat of wildfires. While in parts of the Midwest and southeast, residents are dealing with swollen rivers and flooded communities. Communities along the east coast are once again digging out from a snowstorm. Another storm is expected to hit the east coast later this week.

Find resources to protect your property from flooding, freezing weather, wildfire and other natural hazards at DisasterSafety.org, where you can enter your ZIP Code and get a personalized list of risks that face the areas where you live and work.

Building code update would require stronger enforcement in Memphis

An update to the commercial building code in Memphis, Tenn., which is considered among the cities at highest risk of damage from an earthquake along the New Madrid Seismic Zone, is expected to take effect this spring, pending final approval by city and county officials, according to the Commercial Appeal. The newspaper reports "the code will make buildings not just safer, but better, more serviceable."

According to the report, the new rules will require more inspections to ensure the code is being met. The existing code lacks enforcement requirements.

The new seismic codes emphasize creating a continuous load path from the roof to the foundation with the intent of increasing the building's ability to do more than just allow people to escape prior to a collapse, according to the newspaper.

The newspaper also reports along with the code update, there also is now an increased focus on encouraging non-structural mitigation, such as securing bookshelves, hanging fixtures and appliances, to prevent items from falling on people. Falling objects are the major source of damage due to earthquakes in the Midwest, according to the Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium (CUSEC). Both of these factors will allow a busienss to re-open quickly with little or no damage after an earthquake.

Structural and non-structural mitigation, along with a push for strong building codes and enforcement in the Midwest, were the focus of an earthquake outreach initiative conducted by IBHS, CUSEC and the Federal Emergency Management Agency earlier this month in five states, including Tennessee.

The newspaper describes the new Tennessee building code classifications in four ways:

Collapse prevention. It's like the crumple zone of a car. The auto may be totaled, but you can walk away from a crash.

Life safety. Better secures nonstructural elements of a building, such as light fixtures and bookcases that could fall on people. The building might still be unusable or require massive renovation, but its occupants were able to get out. This is the level the updated code is targeting most buildings, Paullus said.

Immediate occupancy. Building withstands a quake so well that it's repairable with a few months of work.

Essential structures. These are buildings everyone will depend on for recovery and order should a quake hit. They include police and fire stations, hospital operating rooms and military installations. These structures are so resistant, a quake may cause people inside to fall, but they can get up and go back to work.

For more information on protecting businesses and homes from earthquake damage through structural and non-structural mitigation projects, download a free copy of the IBHS guide "Earthquake Risk Around the U.S. - How to Protect Your Property."

Roof collapses prompt calls for inspections to prevent further damage

Roofs collapsed in a number of Massachusetts communities yesterday under the crushing weight of built-up snow and ice, with the worst destruction occurring in Easton, the Boston Globe reports.

On Wednesday, more than 100 workers managed to escape the collapse of a roof at a 150,000-square foot office building in Easton, the newspaper reports. The collapse then triggered a gas leak. The roof collapses around the state have since prompted fire officials to contact local schools and call for inspections to determine structural integrity.

The winter storm has passed, but another round of snow and ice are forecast for next week. Take this opportunity to have the roof cleared on your home or business, urges the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). Check out the guidelines from IBHS to determine how much snow and ice may be too much for the roof to handle. 

Winter property damage can be avoided with the right precautions, says IBHS

A strong winter storm continues to dump heavy snow across the Midwest and New England today, including more than 17 inches of snow in Chicago, while parts of the Southeast are bracing for heavy rains. As the snow falls, concerns rise over the stress on rooftops and the potential for collapse.

Winter storm warnings are in effect from the Mid-Mississippi River Valley to the Great Lakes as snowfall totals will range from another 2 to 6 inches in the Midwest, pushing storm totals from 12 to 17 inches of snow in some areas, the National Weather Service reports. An inch of freezing rain and sleet is anticipated across the Northeast and New England, thus, an ice storm warning has been issued for New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut and southeastern New York.

Blizzard conditions will also persist from the Midwest to New England as 25 to 35 mph winds are expected with gusts up to 40 and 50 mph. Many areas will see white out conditions. Extremely dangerous road and travel conditions are anticipated across most of New England and the Lower Great Lakes region. A cold front produced by this system extends southward, and will move from the Lower Mississippi River Valley to the Carolinas. This front is capable of producing some intense rainfall as it pulls in ample moisture from the Gulf of Mexico. Expect rainfall totals along this front to range from 1 to 2.50 inches.

Between 1990 and 2009, winter storms caused $25 billion in insured losses, according to the Insurance Services Office (ISO). While 2011 likely will be a winter season for the record books, serious property damage can be avoided, according to the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS).

The engineers at IBHS offer guidelines for preventing ice dams, avoiding roof collapse due to heavy snow and ice accumulations, and reducing the risk of frozen pipes. Visit DisasterSafety.org for this and other property protection information.

Prepare now for the latest round of winter weather

It seems fitting that in a week that includes Groundhog Day, a massive winter storm is once again bearing down on the nation. This time it's the midsection that is bracing for high winds, freezing rain and snow and ice early this week. Later in the week, the northeast will once again be under the threat of severe winter weather. For residents in both regions, their daily weather forecast has been a sort of Groundhog Day since December.

The National Weather Service said the most recent winter storm's "stripe of snow" will move eastward across the central plains and into the Ohio Valley and touch parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.

As the storm builds on Monday, though, the band of heaviest snowfall is expected in parts of southwest and northeast Missouri, including central sections of the state, which will receive between six inches and a foot of snowfall and winds between 20 and 30 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

Chicago and Milwaukee were expected to be particularly hard-hit. The weather service issued a blizzard watch for Tuesday and Wednesday for southern Wisconsin, northern Illinois and northwest Indiana that included those cities.

Forecasters said snowfall totals could reach up to 2 feet in some areas by the time the storm system has moved through the region.

The weather service said the heavy snowfall combined with high winds could create whiteout conditions, particularly on Tuesday night into Wednesday. Snow drifts of 5 feet to 10 feet are possible. The service said winds on Tuesday could reach up to 60 mph in open areas and near Lake Michigan.

Once the storm has moved through, bitterly cold temperatures are expected to grip much of the region.

After slamming the Plains and Midwest, the storm will move into the Appalachians, Mid-Atlantic, and New England regions early Wednesday morning, Groundhog Day, with conditions improving early Thursday. The heaviest snow is expected across the interior northeast from Pennsylvania into upstate New York and New England.

Find resources to protect your property from ice and snow and to safely use heating equipment at DisasterSafety.org.

Roof collapse in Connecticut prompts evacuation

Ten people had to be evacuated from their homes when the roof of a Norwich, Conn., apartment building partially collapsed under the weight of snow, the Norwich Bulletin reports. As much as 27 inches of snow fell today in parts of the state.

Nobody was injured when a portion of the roof fell into the building's attic at about 11 a.m., but the city condemned the building for safety reasons, the newspaper reports. Joe East, a city building official, told the Norwich Bulletin that the building's roof and chimney will both have to be replaced.

The newspaper reported that four apartments in the building were occupied and a fifth was scheduled to be filled next week.

The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) offers guidelines to help determine how much snow a building may be able to handle. Many buildings in the northeast are designed to handle heavy snowloads, but some types of buildings may be more vulnerable to collapse under the weight of ice and snow. Learn more at DisasterSafety.org.

Heavy, wet snow and high winds threaten New England properties

The winter storm hitting the east coast today after leaving parts of the south in the deep freeze is posing different risks for properties from heavy snow on rooftops to beach erosion for coastal homes.

Numerous homes in and around Plum Island, Mass., are at risk of damage from beach erosion as another winter storm rolls in, WHDH-TV reports. Parts of Massachusetts are forecast to get up to 20 inches of snow today.

The Plum Island homes have been teetering on the edge of a dune and erosion could lead to extensive property damage. One home was torn down prior to be subjected to today's winter storm. This morning 37 mph sustained winds were recorded on the island. Officials concern now lies in the next high tide on this afternoon. As winds continue to blow and churn up the ocean it could have an effect on beach erosion.

In some parts of New England, the heavy, wet snow that's falling this morning could add to the weight on roofs from existing snow and ice. Residents should watch for excessive buildup in the valleys where different parts of the roof meet. A professional should be hired to clear the roof as soon as weather conditions permit. Wind gusts in Connecticut are adding to the dangers posed by the 22 inches of snow already reported on the ground in Hartford.

Find all of the information to keep your property safe this winter at www.DisasterSafety.org in the Freezing Weather section.

Nor'easter threatens East Coast properties

A nor’easter barreling up the Atlantic is expected to drop as much as 17 inches of snow on areas of Southern New England beginning sometime after midnight tonight, according to the National Weather Service.

The NWS has issued a winter storm watch and predicted anywhere from 10 to 17 inches of snow for most of the region. Only the outer Cape and Islands will see less snowfall, he said. The snow is expected to fall heavily, at a rate of 1 to 3 inches an hour, with winds picking up late tomorrow morning and into the afternoon. Strauss said wind gusts will reach as high as 40 miles per hour.

A repeat of the holiday flood conditions that accompanied the last winter storm is not expected due to astronomically low tides.

In Scituate, Mass., where coastal flooding caused severe damage to numerous homes, officials were not taking any chances, according to the Boston Globe.

Selectman Joe Norton said that the water has only recently receded at some of the flooded homes, leaving many homeowners particularly vulnerable to another nor’easter. “Some of these people can’t afford another storm,’’ Norton told the newspaper. “We feel we’ve patched up the ocean-side seawall pretty well, but that’s no guarantee.’’

Don't take chances with your property during this period of intense winter weather. The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) offers resources to help reduce the risk of water damage, roof collapse, ice dams, frozen pipes and more. Visit www.DisasterSafety.org.

Keeping properties in the southeast safe from winter weather

Much of the southeastern United States is bracing for or has already been hit by a snowstorm today. If this winter weather caught you unprepared, here are a few things to consider that will help protect you and your property, according to the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS).

Freezing pipes - if you think the snow is a problem, imagine a leaky pipe spewing water into your home or business. If you don't have insulation onhand to wrap the pipes, open cabinets to allow warm air to circulate and allow water to drip. This will reduce the risk of pipes freezing and bursting or leaking when the weather warms up.

Ice dams - Keep an eye on the roofline in the coming days. If ice and snow thaw then refreeze, ice dams can form. This can lead to roof leaks, soaked insulation and possibly damage to walls. Learn more about preventing ice dams with help from IBHS' building science experts.

Heaters - keep clothing, furniture, rugs and other flammable items away from heat sources. View the complete IBHS heating guide for information about a variety of heating sources.

Snow loads - Snow is heavy; add freezing rain and the weight increases. Most homes in colder climates can handle heavy loads, but many in the south may be more vulnerable to roof collapse under the weight of ice and snow. Have your roof cleared by a professional. See IBHS guidelines to help keep your roof standing strong.