Is Your Home Ready for a Disaster?

Oct. 14 | 11:30 a.m. Register tahoelivingwithfi re.com

• Ornamental evergreen shrubs and trees such as juniper, mugo pine, Austrian pine and others, should not be used within this area. • Clear all ammable vegetation from within 10 feet of a propane tank. • Remove tree limbs that are within 10 feet of a chimney, house, deck and roof. • Remove limbs that are encroaching on power lines.

Create a Noncombustible Area at least 5 feet wide around the base of the house. It should consist of noncombustible landscape materials and ignition-resistant, low-volume plants.

Maintaining a defensible space is an ongoing activity. Plants grow back and ammable vegetation needs to be routinely removed and disposed of properly. | trpa.gov n

Defensible Space Inspection | Contact local fi re district; tahoelivingwithfi re.com

Landscape mulches | livingwithfi re.com

Living with Fire homeowner’s guide | trpa.gov

Native plants | naes.agnt.unr.edu

Nevada Cooperative Extension Offi ces | ucanr.edu

Tree removal | trpa.gov

COURTESY CAL FIRE & FEMA

Ensuring that your insurance coverage is adequate and having an up-to-date home inventory are essential tools in being nancially prepared in case of a natural disaster or re. Keep a copy of your home inventory in a rebox and with you Go Bag.

Renters insurance | Renters can lose everything in a re and be left to start over. Many insurers bundle coverage with an auto insurance policy at a ordable prices.

Check your policy limits and coverage annually and make sure your policy re ects the correct square footage, features in your home and any recent improvements. Consider purchasing building code up-grade coverage. Keep a list of insurance contacts and policy details in your Go Bag. Include the information on the llable Family Communication Plan provided in the Sept. 8 edition of Tahoe Weekly and available at eTahoeWeekly.com.

What’s covered | e details matter. Understand if you have a replacement cost policy that pays to replace all your items at current market price or an actual cash value policy that takes depreciation into account and pays less for aged items.

Home improvements | If you make home improvements, be sure to update your coverage including for new countertops, oors, etc.

Maintain insurance | If your home is paid o , be sure to maintain homeowner insurance. Without insurance, you likely won’t have the funds to rebuild.

Filing insurance claims will be easier if you have an accurate home inventory by documenting the contents of your home. Use your smartphone to video your belongings, including vehicles and equipment. Keep your inventory and photos outside the home or stored in the cloud.

Make an inventory | Video or photograph each room of your home. Remember to document drawers and closets. Don’t forget the garage and sheds. Download a Home Inventory Checklist from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or download the app to make one on a phone.

Document value | Keep a record or video of prices of items and where and when you purchased them. Make note of important or expensive items like electronics, appliances, sports equipment, TVs, computers, jewelry, etc.

Save receipts | Save receipts for all major purchases and store in the cloud or a reproof case. | ready.gov/plan, readyforwild re.org n