Air quality and evacuations are top of mind for anyone affected by wildfires. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, above-average wildfire seasons are predicted for years to come. Recently, one wildfire season in California consumed more than 4.3 million acres.
What can you do to prepare for natural disasters such as a wildfires? A great place to start is Are You Ready?, a comprehensive guide to citizen preparedness as offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). With the tagline, “Not if, but when: Every U.S. state and territory is at risk of disasters,” the FEMA guide goes on to say, “Disasters disrupt thousands of lives every year, leaving behind lasting effects on people and property. After a disaster, many others in your community need help as well. For this reason, local first responders and other assistance may not be able to reach you right away. You and your family can take simple steps now to prepare for emergencies. By doing so, you take back control—even in the uncertainty of disaster.”
To mitigate damage to your home and to keep your family safe, FEMA suggests preparing for any natural disaster by following these basics:
- knowing your risks – any specific hazards and dangers your home and community might face due to its geographical location and vulnerability, as well as personal risks that could result in injury or loss of life
- making a plan – including communications, evacuating, and sheltering, along with gathering emergency supplies. If you’ve securely stored all your vital homeowner documents and insurance papers online with our free DomiDocs Homeowner Enablement Platform, you’ll have instant access 24/7/365 from wherever you may be, meaning you can concentrate on immediate family needs
- taking action – ensuring you have the insurance coverage in place that your home needs before a disaster hits, as well as practicing your disaster plan, knowing about the warning and alert systems offered, and having a home inventory list, which can again be safely uploaded to DomiDocs for easy access. At the click of a button, you can forward your stored household documents to an insurance adjuster, banks, or wherever you may need to send them
Specific to wildfires, the Are You Ready? FEMA guide also suggests:
- setting up defense zones, and keeping vegetation, including tree canopies, and fuel sources at least 30 feet away from your property and structures
- using fire-resistant building materials when constructing
- having an outdoor water source available that can reach all areas of your property
- paying attention to alerts and weather conditions
- having enough N95 respirators on hand for everyone in your family
- avoiding charred, smoldering, and ashen debris that can cause serious burns or even may ignite another fire
Just as state governors ask for Major Disaster Declarations, it’s also important for you to ask for help when needed. The contact information for emergency resources like the American Red Cross and FEMA should be included in your family’s natural disaster plan.
Documenting for Disaster: How DomiDocs® Can Help You Navigate Through a Disaster
The key to weathering any natural disaster is preparation—knowledge and organization are your best tools. As a homeowner, taking proactive steps to protect your family and property before disaster strikes is essential. The secure, award-winning DomiDocs Homeowner Enablement Platform® helps you stay prepared by allowing you to:
- Create a detailed home inventory – Upload receipts, photos, and videos documenting your home’s condition and contents to ensure an accurate record for insurance purposes.
- Store and manage essential insurance documents – Use the Insurance Bundle feature to securely organize policies, including company details, coverage, cost, and policy start and end dates. A calendar timeline provides quick reference, and with one click, you can share documents with your insurance agent when filing a claim.
- Prepare for and recover quickly from any disasters – Ensure quick and easy access to critical homeownership and insurance documents before and after a natural disaster. Use the Disaster Bundle to safely store everything from insurance policies and mortgage information to your home inventory list, photos & videos and emergency vendors—allowing you to recover faster when you need it most.
- Stay ready for emergencies – Keep all your most important documents—such as IDs, medical records, financial statements, and emergency contacts—securely stored and instantly accessible. The Digital Go Bundle ensures you have everything you need in one place, whether you’re evacuating or managing post-disaster recovery.
- Follow expert homeowner guidance – Access the comprehensive DomiDocs® New Homeowner Guide, which offers best practices to help prevent insurance claims and keep your home in top condition.
By leveraging these tools, you’ll have the critical information you need at your fingertips, making it easier to recover and rebuild after a disaster.
Navigating Insurance Claims: What Every Homeowner Should Know
When you’re facing the aftermath of a natural disaster, working with your insurance company is an inevitable part of the recovery process. DomiDocs® CEO and Founder, William McKenna advises homeowners to carefully review their insurance company’s initial settlement offer, as it may not fully cover all damages. Many experts recommend assessing the offer to ensure it aligns with your policy coverage.
What should you do? Access your personal profile on the DomiDocs Homeowner Enablement Platform® to easily submit your documented receipts, photos, and videos to your insurance adjuster with just one click. Before accepting a settlement, take the time to consider all potential losses, including missed wages, medical expenses (both current and future), vehicle repairs, and any other damages. Being thorough can help ensure you receive the full coverage you’re entitled to under your policy.
DomiDocs® has your back! Whether it’s a hurricane, tornado, flood, or fire, the DomiDocs Resouce Page: How To File An Insurance Claim is here to guide you through the claims and recovery process.
Take Control of Your Homeownership Journey with DomiDocs®
Managing your home shouldn’t be stressful. DomiDocs® empowers homeowners with innovative technology, expert guidance, and unparalleled organization—all within a secure, cloud-based platform. From protecting your property and finances to streamlining essential tasks, our tools help you save time, reduce expenses, mitigate costly risks, and maximize your home’s value.
Explore the DomiDocs® suite of solutions:
- Homeowner Enablement Platform® – A centralized, digital hub for organizing documents, tracking home value, and managing property details effortlessly.
- HomeLock™ – Protects your home from fraud and title theft with 24/7 monitoring and instant alerts.
- TrueValueIndex® – Provides real-time insights into your home’s value to help you make informed financial decisions.
- propRtax® – Identifies potential property tax savings and ensures you’re not overpaying.
- Documenting for Disaster® – Securely stores critical homeownership documents, ensuring quick access before and after a disaster.
Join the home management revolution today and experience the confidence that comes with having everything you need in one place.