Article by Patrick McCarren Local Realtor & Broker

Earthquake, Fire and Flood Oh My!

Massive wildfi res, sudden fl oods and the anticipation of the next earthquake all serve as a reminder that Mother Nature can be hazardous to your home. There are immediate actions you can take to protect your property and prevent major damage should one of these elements strike in the future. Wildfi re - Some inexpensive home improvements include installing a spark arrestor on your chimney, eliminating brush and debris from around your property. More expensive improvements include replacing single-pane glass windows, doors or skylights with tempered glass, replacing your exterior walls and roofi ng with a more fi reresistant material. Earthquake - Anchoring appliances, dressers, TV, computer and other items to the wall is possibly one of the most important preventative measures. Apply safety fi lm to non- tempered windows and glass doors to protect from shards of glass if broken. Install a gas auto shut-off device, any reputable plumber should be able to do this. Water - Seal windows, doors and any cracks or holes in the foundation and exterior walls. Repair or replace roof shingles and remember tile roofs are not maintenance free. Tiles break for various reasons so it is a good idea to have them checked out by a professional periodically. Install or make sure that the fl ashing, a thin metal strip, around the doors, windows, thresholds, chimney and roof are intact. Homeowners insurance can help protect you fi nancially. Keep in mind that standard policies cover standard replacement only. This means that the WOLF range may not be covered or the crystal chandelier is covered as a standard brass and glass for replacement. If you have signifi cant upgrades see your insurance agent for a rider or increased coverage. Flood and earthquake damage is NOT covered under the traditional homeowners insurance policy. Periodically review your homeowners insurance policy to make sure that you are adequately covered to rebuild your home and replace its contents. Having a home inventory can make it easier when fi ling an insurance claim. Start with a sheet a paper for each room in the house. Go around the room listing every item with a general description. If you have it, write the original cost, purchase date, replacement cost, model number, brand name, where purchased, and don’t storage forget places. In addition, take photos or video of each room for visual documentation. It is also a good idea to itemize valuable collections, silver, jewelry, etc. and take close up photos. Try to update your home inventory photos and list at least once a year. It is important to have an emergency evacuation plan and designated meeting area to take a head count in case of fi re or other emergency By taking precautions to protect your home, you can possibly help keep damage to a minimum when disasters strike; or in the case of severe damage, make sure that you have the fi nancial means to rebuild. For a PDF booklet text or email me. For more information go to www.ibhs.org or www.fema.gov. Patrick McCarran is a local Realtor and Broker. Call/text 925-899-5536 • pmccarran@yahoo.com • CallPatrick.com Independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity. In association with Realty One Group Elite DRE#0193160.