9 Ways To Safeguard Your Home For The Future

Because the words “expect the unexpected" have never rung more true.

Wild and extreme weather is becoming more frequent and an increasing part of everyday life. Sadly, no person or place in the world is exempt from climate change and certainly not in Australia, one of the worst-hit countries for intense storms, cyclones, and wildfires. So it makes sense to get our homes as well-prepared as possible for the unexpected.

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Many forward-thinking people are doing just that — taking steps to protect their homes for the future, whether from fire or flood risk, being stuck without power or dealing with water restrictions.

Here are nine cost-effective tips for safeguarding your home with ease.

1. Equip yourself with an off-the-grid power generator. Namely, this beauty — the BLUETTI AC300.

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Investing in an off-the-grid, portable solar-powered generator might be the most brilliant move for self-sufficiency. This generator will give you energy for as long as the solar panels' lifespan (which is usually around 25 to 30 years). It’s more sustainable, better for the planet and it's invaluable when dealing with emergencies and power outages.

A 100% modular solar power station like the BLUETTI AC300 (with its accompanying battery, the B300) stands out because it’s flexible and heavy-duty. You can divide up the fully packed power system for various electronics. It also supports up to a staggering 2,400W of MPPT solar charging. There's even a BLUETTI app, which you can use with WiFi or Bluetooth to monitor and control the generator.

On top of that, it's less noisy (as quiet as 35dB), has lower maintenance (no moving part included) and is more durable than any fossil fuel alternatives. This means that the next time you go camping, have a party outdoors, or want to be outside for long periods, you won't have to worry about devices running out of battery.

2. Don't forget to keep your power bank (the B300) fully charged and ready to go.

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Keep the battery charged up and ready as stored power in case of sudden outages. 

The AC300 supports up to four B300 battery packs, offering a TOTAL storage capacity of 12,288Wh, enough power for your home for days on end.

More than an extra battery pack, B300 can be also used as an independent DC [direct current] power source, since it’s equipped with functional output ports for versatile charging. It also supports quick recharge via AC, car, and lead-acid battery charging. 

3. Keep your home's perimeter as clear (and fire safe) as possible.

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Focus on creating defensible space around your home. This means keeping the area just outside the perimeter of your building clear by removing dead leaves and dry vegetation from any edges, gutters and beneath decks, and cutting back overhanging trees and shrubs. 

Ember attack is the main cause of homes catching fire during a bushfire and flying embers tend to rekindle when they become lodged in nooks and crannies — so attend to any of these around your home regularly.

4. Seal and protect roofs and windows (and probably your car too) from the hazards of hail storms.

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Hailstones the size of a person's hand caused carnage in Queensland late last year and researchers say hail storms will almost certainly become more frequent and intense in coming years, as an effect of climate change. 

Installing shutters and dual-pane windows and even considering green-roofing (which can also reduce heat in summer and absorb CO2) are great ways to protect your home — which is especially wise if you live in a fire-risk area. BUT these options don't tend to come cheap. In the short-term, cover off lower budget measures like repairing any wear-and-tear in your roof and installing fine metal mesh screens on windows.

5. Know your home's risks because every home is different.

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Every property is unique in terms of risk. So understanding how climate change could potentially impact your home and area will, of course, underpin any measures you might want to implement.

Know what materials have been used to build your home, such as timber or more flammable cladding, and how it was constructed. Consider the weather, topography and flood and fire history where you are. Do a bit of research and speak to neighbours or local tradespeople.

6. Be all over your home insurance policy — and add extras if necessary.

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Yes, insurance is about as dry a subject as you can get, but it's something you'll be FULLY interested in come that day you need to put in a claim.

Knowing your home's risks (see previous point) is obviously crucial when it comes to reviewing your insurance policy, to make sure you're covered for the sort of damage it's most vulnerable to.

Look closely at your policy terms (c’mon, you can do it), and if necessary speak to an insurance broker for help finding a policy that meets your needs or to work out whether you need extra cover — which you may well do.

7. Install rain or stormwater storage (in a country like ours, isn’t it crazy not to?!).

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Rainwater harvesting is not only good for the planet, but reducing your need for water from the main supply can also help mitigate floods.

If you have space under a driveway, this can be perfect for an underground tank, which uses a pump. And with filtering and disinfection, you could even potentially drink your harvested rainwater with a whole-house system.

Unpredictable weather patterns, severe droughts and population growth means water bills are generally on the rise — something that's likely to continue for quite some time — so this a great way of evading that issue.

8. Sort out a household emergency kit and fire extinguishing gear.

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The more prepared you are in an emergency, the better chance you have of protecting your family, your pets and your home.

Make up an emergency kit with non-perishable food, water, first aid essentials and blankets. Keep a list of emergency numbers and have torches, waterproof matches and a battery radio for weather updates. A fire extinguisher, extra long hose, fire blankets and a compact toolkit are all important items to include.

9. And finally, fit one-way, non-return valves on drains and pipes.

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Flooding is obviously of mega concern for many homeowners, especially with rising temperatures predicted to lead to more frequent and heavier rainfalls. So every small, inexpensive measure you can take to prevent flooding is well worth your time!

Fitting non-return valves on drains and pipes doesn't have to cost a huge amount and will prevent sewage from flowing back through pipes from toilets and sinks (gross.) 

Most valves can be fitted to clay, plastic or concrete pipes.

BLUETTI's AC300 and B300 will hit the Australian market on May 25 with special discounts — find out more here.

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