Emergency Preparedness: A Southern Home Builder's Perspective

Today I want to dive into a topic that's incredibly important: emergency preparedness. As a home builder, I've always thought about creating not just beautiful homes, but resilient ones. My background as a firefighter paramedic for 10 years, serving on a heavy rescue team, gave me a unique perspective on what it takes to keep families safe during emergencies. I've seen firsthand the impact of fires, tornadoes, and severe weather, and it’s shaped how I approach building homes. Let’s talk about creating an action plan for your house and family.

Fortified Roof for extra protection during severe weather.

Fire Safety First

Let’s start with fire safety. It's something we often overlook, but it's crucial to have a solid plan. First, establish a meeting spot outside your home. Whether it’s an oak tree in the front yard or a swing set in the back, make sure everyone knows where to go to immediately get out of the home in case of a fire. This helps ensure everyone is accounted for and reduces chaos.

Another vital tip is to teach your family to shut doors. If they're in their bedroom at night, leaving the door closed can significantly slow down the spread of fire. I’ve seen houses where entire bedrooms were salvageable just because the door was shut. It cuts off the oxygen supply and makes a huge difference.

And of course, smoke detectors. Make sure you have working smoke detectors in your home. If you have a new house, great! But even then, change the batteries every time the time changes. If you have a monitored service, ask them to test the detectors regularly. 

Stone wool batt insulation is one way we reduce the spread of fire in homes.

Weathering the Storm

Here in the South, we’re no strangers to severe weather. Thunderstorms, tornadoes, and even severe winter events are all part of life. It can be scary, especially if you didn’t grow up here and you are unfamiliar with the steps to take to keep your family safe. So, how do we prepare?

First, charge your phones and make sure your car has a full tank of gas when severe weather is expected. Know where you’re going to go in your house if a tornado warning is issued. Whether it’s a safe room, basement, or the most central part of your house like a bathroom, everyone needs to know the plan.

I also recommend having bicycle helmets and life jackets available for your kids during tornado warnings. It might sound unusual, but it's about protecting them from flying debris. You can also add safety glasses to your emergency kit. Keep flashlights or LED lanterns, especially in your safe spot, for power outages.

Make sure you have a weather alert radio. Don't rely solely on your cell phone. A weather radio with a built-in battery can wake you up in the event of a severe weather alert. Also, have adequate work clothes ready, like jeans and closed-toe shoes, in case you need to work to get your family out or navigate debris.

Home Preparedness Essentials

Let's talk about some things you can do around your house to prepare for power outages. A generator is a game-changer. Whether it's a whole-home generator or a portable one, having a backup power source is essential. I prefer propane generators as the back up power source for several reasons. When diesel and gas generators are not used for a period of time, the fuel breaks down, causing the equipment to gum up and malfunction. That is not what you want during an emergency. Propane, however, is a more clean and reliable envery source; propane does not degrade, so in three months, six months, or a year from now, a propane generator will start up when you need it. And since propane is often stored in on-site tanks, you're not reliant on long gas station lines or supply issues during an emergency. Even if the power is out for days, a propane generator can keep your fridge, lights, and even medical equipement all powered. Plus, if you have propane appliances like a fireplace, remember they work without electricity, which is critical during power outages in cold weather. This is why I always try to include at least one gas heat source in the houses I build.

To safe guard this home built in a rural part of Alabama, it was protected with a propane stand-by generator.

Outdoor Preparedness

Finally, let’s talk about the outside of your house. While we don't see many wild fires here, we do have high winds, and it's important to keep things tidy. Trim back shrubs, remove dead vegetation, and keep leaves off your roof and valleys. Anything that could easily ignite or become airborne during high winds should be minimized around your house. We call trampolines the state bird of Alabama because they often fly from one yard to another during storms! Lastly, keep your yard clear of trash, debris, and tall grass in order to minimize the spread of fire should one ever occur. 

I hope this information helps you and your family prepare your home and feel more prepared for dealing with potential emergencies! 

Example of a Generac stand-by whole home generator