Ever wondered if Cheryl Tiegs's home is as beautiful as she is or how designer Angelo Surmelis of "Rate My Space" decorates his own home or where in the world is Cy Curnin, lead vocalist of The Fixx? Find out those answers and more in our new "At Home with..." series that takes you inside the homes of celebrities. Interested in seeing inside the home of your favorite celebrity? Write a comment below and let us know.
I've learned that it doesn't matter where you live—in a disaster-prone region or not—evacuations happen. This week, in our tiny Vermont area, it was a derailed gas car. Obviously, as I write, in Southern California it's the wildfires. In coastal regions, it's hurricanes. No matter what the emergency, people need to be prepared. I've looked at various sites that give advice on how to prepare for evacuations, and the guidelines are pretty simple. The message: We all need to be prepared. The very first thing you need to know is whether you have time to make preparations or if your evacuation is immediate. Now, long before you are asked to leave, make sure you know your evacuation routes and what media outlets you will turn to for updates and information. Never, ever take a shortcut if you are evacuated because those routes may be blocked. If you have time, secure your home by unplugging all electrical equipment except freezers and refrigerators, unless there is a risk of flooding. If you need to gather disaster supplies, do so. Check out our article, "Assembling Your Disaster Kit". Your best option is to have disaster supplies on hand and ready in case of a rapid evacuation. These supplies include key banking information, prescriptions and medical supplies, water and sturdy clothing. Keep a full tank of gas in the car as gas stations may be closed or empty. Have a battery-powered radio on hand. Let people know where you will go in case of an emergency and make plans with friends or relatives who can provide you with a safe place to stay. For more information, look at the Red Cross, FEMA or FLASH web sites. It makes sense for all of us, no matter where we live.
A friend's family home was destroyed by hurricane Katrina. Determined to rebuild better, they chose a round home. Round homes are superior performers in high winds and hurricanes because the wind can travel around them rather than getting trapped and beating against a flat face. Granted, no home is completely storm-proof, but it is pretty significant that none of the round homes built by Deltec—a specialist in round home design and construction—suffered catastrophic damage from Katrina. As if strength and beauty weren't enough, round homes do not draft or lose warm interior air to pressure buildup outside like rectangular homes do, so they are more energy efficient. With all these attributes, it's a wonder every coastal home isn't round.
If you live in a windstorm-prone area, you should find out if your home's attic contains shiners— and I don't mean the frisky baitfish used to catch large-mouth bass. In homebuilding, shiner is a term used for exposed nails along the wood structure of the roof. If you have them, chances are the roof above them is improperly attached. How do you find shiners? If you have safe attic access, use a flashlight to look along the framing members in your attic. If you see shiny objects along the edges of the framing members, you've got shiners. That's bad news because the nails should be hidden inside the wood supports of the roof. If they are exposed, it may mean that your roof is more likely to come off in high winds. The good news is that a roof with shiners can be strengthened—so check for them now before it's too late. What if you don't live in an area prone to high winds? Homes nationwide are vulnerable to windstorms, whether from hurricanes, Nor'easters, straight-line winds, downslope winds, or tornadoes. Don't assume that because you don't live on the coast your home is immune from windstorms or shiners. Do a quick check now to avoid damage later.
Those of us in hurricane-prone regions are all too aware that June 1 was the official start of hurricane season. Many of us have stocked our disaster supply kits and prepared our family emergency plans. However, a lot of people are still stumped when it comes to boarding up their windows and doors. If you find your home in the path of a hurricane this season and don't have impact-resistant windows and doors or impact-resistant shutters or panels to protect from windborne debris, consider building your own temporary emergency shutters. Fortunately, the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes website can help with complete instructions and an easy-to-follow animation. Some steps you can take now, well before your home is threatened. Don't wait, get started by clicking the link below.
Last year we did an entry about The Hurricane Harness, a product that helps tie the roof down during a hurricane. High-speed winds traveling over the roof can create a vacuum pressure on the roof, pulling it upward. Likewise, windborne debris can rip holes in the home's envelope and create a pressure imbalance, lifting the roof right off the home. This is called catastrophic building failure. Just in time for Hurricane Season ’07, the makers of the Hurricane Harness are releasing their latest versions of the product on the market. There are now options for mobile homes and commercial/industrial buildings, including those with metal roofs. The Harness straps down the roof and fastens to anchors driven into the ground or the foundation of the home. We call it a “seatbelt for the home.” The mobile-home harness also protects carports, a particularly vulnerable part of the mobile home. Check out Hurricane Harness to learn more.
With the official hurricane season quickly approaching—beginning on June 1st and running until the 30th of November—the time to start making preparations is now. It is recommended that every home have an emergency kit to include a first aid kit, canned food and a can opener, protective clothing, sleeping bags, and a battery-powered radio and flashlight among other items. But foremost on your kit list should be clean water, at least 3 gallons per person. Here is a product that goes above and beyond in filling that requirement. The WaterB.O.B. is a water-containment system that stores up to 100 gallons of fresh water in your home's bathtub. Constructed out of heavy duty food grade plastic, the WaterB.O.B. keeps water clean and fresh. It also comes with a siphon pump to easily distribute the water. This is a product that is nice to have but I hope you never have to use it. It is available for purchase online for $24.95.
