Be prepared - Times Union

Your dream of homeownership may have included visions of a white picket fence and a sunny spot for a vegetable garden. But when you were signing on the dotted line, you probably never envisioned that night when the furnace wouldn't kick on or that there might come a time when you'd need to leave your home amid rising floodwaters.

Everyone needs to be prepared for emergencies large and small, and if you're a first-time homeowner there may be some things that never crossed your mind, what with all the stress of getting your financing in order, making plans to move and picking out paint colors.

With that in mind, we checked in with the Albany Fire Deparment and the American Red Cross for tips on what all homeowners need to know to keep property safe and avoid or minimize damage in case emergencies both large and small.

Fire safety

It is important to keep flammable items at least 3 feet away from things that can get hot, such as space heaters, curling irons, toasters, clothes irons and the like. Also, inform children about the dangers of playing with matches, lighters, stove burners ? and keep these out of reach. Using simple devices like timers or stopwatches can avoid kitchen fires while cooking with the stove or oven. "Do not leave candles unattended; it is common to leave them on a windowsill by a drapery, and a fire can quickly start," said Albany Fire Chief Robert Forezzi.

Store important documents ? insurance and mortgage papers, property titles, passports, birth certificates, etc. ? in a fire safe.

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

"Every family should make sure they have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors," said Caroline Boardman of the American Red Cross Northeastern New York Region. "

Alarms need to be installed outside central locations and inside and outside of sleeping areas." Smoke alarms should be installed on all levels within your residence. Test them every month and replace the batteries at least once a year. It is also very important to inform children how to react to a smoke alarm and the proper course of action that follows. When a carbon monoxide alarm goes off, a fresh air destination should be sought out.

Emergency escape plan

Families should be prepared to act swiftly and responsibly in the case of an emergency, such as a fire. This includes developing an escape plan and practicing it ? at different times of day ? two times a years. Take into consideration how to manage young children, the elderly and pets.

"Families should practice their escape plan, know what their job is and have a meeting place outside," said Forrezzi. "Remember to call 911. Many people just run out of their house and forget to call the fire department."

Utilities

Know where circuit breaker panel is located in your house and how to reset a switch; call an electrician if a switch keeps shutting off.

Know where the water shutoffs are located in your home and be sure they can easily be turned on and off.

Keep phone numbers of recommended plumbers and heating/cooling technicians on hand in case of emergency.

Floods and power outages

A typical homeowners insurance plan does not cover flooding; purchase a flood insurance policy if your home is located in a flood-prone area or in the flood plain. Keep a supply of batteries and flashlights on hand for unexpected power outages.

Winter storms

Cold weather and winter storms are a fact of life in upstate New York, but you can be prepared and protect your home. Clean and inspect heating equipment and chimneys yearly, preferably before the heating season sets in; make sure all fuel-burning equipment is vented to the outside and cleared. Have snow shovels and ice-melting rock salt on hand. Use a snow rake to keep snow from accumulating at the edge of your house's roofline, where ice dams can form and cause water damage. Properly insulate water pipes to keep them from freezing; if extreme cold threatens to freeze pipes, keep a trickle of water running.

Natural disasters

The Capital Region was spared wrath of Hurricane Sandy, but the severity of the storm downstate is a reminder of the potential destruction of a natural disaster. Know what natural disasters can affect your area and what to do in the event of one striking. Watch the weather and stay on top of the news if severe weather is predicted where you live. Obey if local authorities call for you to evacuate. For detailed information on disaster preparedness, go to http://www.redcross.org/prepare

Matthew L. McKibben is a Times Union intern.

Items that every homeowner needs

Basic tool kit

? Hammer

? Screwdrivers (mixed set)

? Adjustable wrenches

? Needle-nose pliers

? Wire cutter/stripper

? Tape measure

? Electrical tester

? Reversible drill with bit set

? 1/2-inch steel chisel

? Utility knife

? Handsaw

? Level

? Supply of nails, screws, electrical, masking and duct tape

? WD-40

? Safety glasses

First aid kit

? 2 absorbent compress dressings (5 by 9 inches)

? 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)

? 1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards by 1 inch)

? 5 antibiotic ointment packets, 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram)

? 5 antiseptic wipe packets

? 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)

? 1 blanket (space blanket)

? 1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)

? 1 instant cold compress

? 2 pair of nonlatex gloves (size: large)

? Scissors

? 1 roller bandage (3 inches wide)

? 1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)

? 5 sterile gauze pads (3 by 3 inches)

? 5 sterile gauze pads (4 by 4 inches)

? Oral thermometer (non-mercury)

? 2 triangular bandages

? Tweezers

? First aid instruction booklet

Emergency disaster kit

? Water ? one gallon per person, per day (three-day supply for evacuation, two-week supply for home)

? Food ? non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (three-day supply for evacuation, two-week supply for home)

? Flashlight

? Battery-powered or hand-crank radio

? Extra batteries

? First aid kit

? Medications (seven-day supply), medical items

? Multipurpose tool

? Sanitation, personal hygiene items

? Copies of documents (medication list, medical information, proof of address, deed to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)

? Cellphone with chargers

? Family, emergency contact information

? Extra cash

? Emergency blanket

Map(s) of the area

Source: American Red Cross; various home-improvement websites

Source: http://www.timesunion.com/living/article/Be-prepared-4021225.php

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