Hazards such as earthquakes, floods, and wildfires can cause damage to homes and property. Taking steps now to reduce hazards in and around your home can help minimize damage.
Protect your home from earthquake damage
- Secure tall, free-standing furniture, such as bookcases, cabinets and shelving to wall studs using “L” brackets, corner brackets or anodized aluminum moulding
- Secure electronics with velcro strips or non-slip pads
- Use strong strapping and ratchets or other connectors to secure refrigerators, freezers, washers and dryers
- Anchor water heaters snugly to the wall with straps. If necessary, contract a licensed gas fitter to install a flexible gas line
- Move beds away from windows
- Move framed pictures and mirrors away from beds, couches and chairs
- Place heavy and breakable items on lower shelves
- Secure cabinet doors with push or pull latches
- Store toxic materials in non-breakable containers, away from heat sources
- Know how to turn off your electrical panel, water and gas in case of leaks or if directed to do so by officials. If your gas is shut off at the meter, don't try to turn it back on. Only a licensed gas contractor can do that safely
Protect your home from flood damage
Steps everyone should take
- Store valuables and important items or documents in water-tight containers or in higher places, like on a tall shelf or upper floor
- Clean your gutters regularly
- Keep nearby storm drains clear of debris
- In the winter, clear snow at least 1 to 1.5 metres away from your home's foundation
Additional steps to consider
- Raise large appliances, furnaces, hot water heaters, and electrical panels onto wood or cement blocks above the potential water level (if an item can’t be raised, consider anchoring it and protecting it with a floodwall or shield)
- Anchor any oil tanks or fuel supplies to the floor
- Install backflow valves on basement floor drains, washing machine drains, toilets and sink drains
- Install tiled floors with waterproof adhesive and grout
- Raise electrical sockets on the ground floor of your home
- Install a sump pump
- Install flood-resistant drywall and exterior doors
- Apply weather protection sealant around basement windows and the base of ground-level doors
- Install permeable paving surfaces for sidewalks and driveways
- Make sure your gutters’ downspouts extend at least 2 metres from your basement wall. Water should drain away from your property and neighbouring properties
- Install permanent safeguards, such as self-closing flood barriers, designed to keep water out of your home for as long as possible
- Enhance your landscaping so water drains away from your foundation
Protect your home from wildfire
Mitigate wildfire risks around your home and property by undertaking FireSmart activities. Simple actions can decrease the intensity of a wildfire and slow its spread, which helps stop buildings from being damaged in a fire.
Immediate Zone (0 to 1.5 metres from your home)
- Choose non-combustible building materials when constructing or renovating your home
- Clear vegetation and combustible material down to mineral soil and cover with non-combustible materials like gravel, brick or concrete
- Avoid planting woody shrubs or trees. If any are present, prune and maintain them regularly
Intermediate Zone (1.5 to 10 metres from a structure or home)
- Plant fire-resistant vegetation and select non-combustible landscaping material
- Avoid incorporating any woody debris, including mulch
- Keep combustible items like firewood, construction materials, patio furniture, tools and decorative pieces out of this zone
- Move trailers, recreational vehicles, storage sheds, and other combustible materials into the Extended Zone. If that is not possible, store firewood inside your mitigated garage, shed, or other ember-resistant structures
- Create a non-combustible ground cover, like a gravel pad, underneath and 1.5 metres around trailers, recreational vehicles and sheds
Extended Zone (10 to 30 metres from a structure or home)
- Selectively remove evergreen trees to create at least 3 metres of horizontal space between the single or grouped tree crowns
- Remove all branches to a height of 2 metres from the ground
- Regularly clean up accumulations of fallen branches, dry grass, and needles to eliminate potential surface fuels
- Continue to apply these principles if your property extends beyond 30 metres. Work with your neighbours in overlapping zones and seek guidance from a forest professional if affected by other conditions like steep slopes
Complete the FireSmart home assessment to see what changes will make the greatest difference in reducing your home’s risk.
Take a closer look
Use the resources listed below to make your home safer: