Disasters happen every day no matter where you live. If floods are not a particular concern for you, than droughts or earthquakes are. These things can destroy homes and seriously disrupt lives. Entire communities can be displaced in very extreme circumstances.
While planning for the unexpected may seem counter-intuitive at first, in the long run it can make a bad situation far easier to cope with. You need to stock your home now and be proactive. You may even save yourself a lot of money in the long run by expressing some foresight now. This is about protecting more than just your investment; it is about caring for your family and your home.
No home should be without a dry wet vacuum. If you live in a place that has an ample amount of rain you are almost guaranteed to fight against a small flood at some point in time. Should you live in a more arid climate, then there is always the possibility that a pipe may burst, causing your basement or lower level to sustain water damage.
Power outages can be caused by severe storms, high winds, or an idiot hitting a power line. If you live in a colder climate this can be a big problem because without power you are without heat. Keeping a small portable space heater around that will run off of oil or kerosene is a wise choice. It may only heat a small space for a short time, but it is better than being cold all that time.
Should you need an alternate heat source for a larger space, for a longer period of time, having a Delonghi space heater is a good choice. Furnaces malfunction. They break. Sometimes they pick long holiday weekends to break. If it will be a while before the service technician can get to you than you will want to make sure that you and your family will still be warm.
No matter where you live the threat of fire is real for any home. You can help to protect your family by regularly checking the batteries in smoke alarms. Discuss ahead of time emergency escape routes. If you have a second or third story to your home you should make sure that there are escape ladders by the windows. Having a plan in place can make a big difference when seconds count.
In the event of the unthinkable, having the proper insurance coverage goes a long way. This often means the difference between losing everything, and being able to quickly get back to life as usual. Your agent is likely to also give you great pointers on how to prepare your house for emergency situations.