Natural Disaster Planning

Prepare for your next natural disaster project by discovering our planning ideas & tips.

Photo of a flood encroaching on a home. Preparing for a flood can prevent your house from damage.

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How to Prepare for a Flood

Discover essential steps to prepare for a flood and learn ways to flood-proof your home to protect your loved ones and personal property from harm.
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Holiday Home Disasters Most Likely to Occur in Your State

Are you curious about holiday home disasters in your state? Read our analysis of the most popular states for common disasters and helpful tips for prevention.
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How To Wire a Portable Generator

Ask This Old House master electrician Heath Eastman explains a few different methods for hooking up a portable generator to a house.
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How to Prepare Yourself for Natural Disasters and Storms

In this guide, we show you how to stay prepared and protect your family and your home when a natural disaster strikes.
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How to Safeguard Your House from Wildfires

Learn how to make your home more resistant to wildfires with This Old House host Kevin O'Connor and fire expert Dan Gorham.
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How To Retrofit a Home for Earthquakes and When To Hire Pros

Read our step-by-step guide on how to retrofit a home for earthquakes so that you can be prepared for this natural disaster. We cover costs, potential savings and more.
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How To Install Whole House Lightning Protection

This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook travels to central Florida to install a lightning protection system.
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3 Things to Do Before a Storm

Do these simple tasks before severe weather hits to help minimize or even prevent costly damage to your home
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Whole-House Battery Backup

Home battery backup systems could be part of our energy future. Learn more about how they work, their cost, and what benefits they bring.
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How to Prevent Plumbing Leaks Automatically

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey demonstrates a wireless detector that can shut off the water in case of a flood.
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Understanding the Dangers of Home Fires

Watch as Ask This Old House host Kevin O’Connor visits Underwriters Laboratories to see first-hand how dangerous fires can be.
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Disaster Supply Kit: How to Prepare for Severe Weather

Learn how to prepare yourself, your family, and your home for severe weather with our storm survival kit and preparedness checklist.
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14 Supplies to Help You Prepare for a Blizzard

What you need to prepare for a snowstorm so you have the essentials before, during, and after an emergency strikes.
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Dealing With Household Disasters

Floods, collapsed ceilings, trapped critters, and smoke damage happen. But with our homeowner survival tips, you'll know just what to do when trouble strikes.
A house being built using insulated concrete forms so that it's fireproof.

How to Build a Fireproof Home Using ICF Blocks

Learn how insulated concrete forms—combined with fire-resistant exterior and interior materials—make for one safe home.
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Tips for Protecting Your Home From a Hurricane

In this guide, we show you how to limit the chances of harm and learn how to protect your home before and during a hurricane.
A man using plywood to board a window for hurricane season.

How To Board Up Windows for a Hurricane

Preparing your house for an impending hurricane or tropical storm? Here’s how to install plywood panels to keep flying debris at bay.
Close-up of a fire extinguisher.

Fire Extinguishers: Your Ultimate Guide to Home Safety

What type of fire extinguishers should you have in your home? Where should they be placed? Find answers to these questions and more.

How to Escape a Fire

Keep your family safe with these safety tips for escaping a fire.