(NC) Forty years ago, Canada experienced 19 natural disasters per decade, on average. That number has now increased to 133. From extreme heat to wildfires and flooding, incidences of extreme weather are on the rise. While we can’t change the weather, there are things that can be done to prepare for major events and lessen their impact on our homes.
“With more people impacted by extreme weather, preparation matters,” says Carla Smith, Chief Climate Officer at Intact. “Small measures taken today can save time, money, and stress down the road. There are simple maintenance steps you can take to reduce the risk of flooding and wildfire to your home and they can typically be completed in less than a day.”
Wildfires. If you live near forests and grasslands, keeping combustible ground cover such as mulch and plants at least 1.5 metres, about one and a half baseball bats, from the house perimeter is a must. Keep the lawn mowed to less than 10 centimetres, or about the height of a pop can, and plant low-growing, well-spaced shrubs and other fire-resistant plants. Adding a non-combustible three-millimetre screen to all external vents, except for the dryer vent, along with fencing made of cement fiber boards, metal, chain link or stone within 1.5 metres of the house can all help prevent wildfires from spreading.
Reduce the risk of flooding. The simplest way to help reduce the risk of flooding is with regular maintenance of your home, both inside and outside, twice a year. This includes removing debris from storm drains and cleaning out eavestroughs, checking for leaks in plumbing fixtures and appliances, testing your sump pump and cleaning out the backwater valve. Be sure to also keep obstructions well away from floor drains.
Beat the heat. There are many simple and cost-effective home upgrades available to help moderate temperature. Consider planting shade trees, growing vines over your brick walls, deck or balcony, as well as using fans for air circulation and installing heat-resistant glazing on windows. During periods of extreme heat, these steps will help lower the temperature of your home without solely relying on an air conditioning unit.
The reality of climate change is that Canadians are experiencing more wildfires, homes are being flooded from torrential rain events, and more people are being impacted by extreme heat.
Learn more about helping prepare your home for extreme weather events at intact.ca/protection.
