IBC offers Earth Month tips to prepare for severe weather

VANCOUVER, April 9, 2012 /CNW/ - April is "Earth Month" and it's a time to remember that severe weather is becoming more frequent and there are things we can do at home to be better prepared.  During spring, many begin their gardening and start "spring cleaning" around the house. This is an opportunity to start thinking about making home improvements to protect your home against water damage caused by the more severe storms ahead.

"It's important to take preventative action against severe weather because it is here to stay, disrupts lives and costs everyone," says Lindsay Olson, Vice President, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba with IBC. "IBC has developed a number of programs to help homeowners learn about how to protect their properties in the face of increasingly severe weather and many of these helpful tips can be found on www.ibc.ca "

Here are some focused activities that will help businesses and homeowners safeguard themselves from severe weather impacts:

• Create an emergency preparedness plan for your family
• Assemble a disaster safety kit
• Prepare a detailed home inventory
• Talk to your insurance representative to make sure you have appropriate coverage
• Ensure proper lot grading around your house so water can drain away from basement walls
• Use a rain barrel to catch water runoff
• Check sidewalks, patios, decks and driveways to make sure they haven't settled over time which could cause water to drain toward your house
• Landscape with native plants and vegetation that resist soil erosion

For more information on how to minimize and help prevent damage, and to find out what is covered by insurance, click here:
http://www.ibc.ca/en/Natural_Disasters/Protect_Yourself_from_Climate_Change/index.asp

About Insurance Bureau of Canada
Insurance Bureau of Canada is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, car and business insurers. Its member companies represent 90% of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. The P&C insurance industry employs over 114,000 Canadians, pays more than $7 billion in taxes to the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and has a total premium base of $40 billion.

To view media releases and information, visit the media section of IBC's website at www.ibc.ca.

Helen Lialias
Media Relations Officer
Insurance Bureau of Canada
416-362-2031 ext. 4312
[email protected]