If you are at all like me, you’re probably too busy with the daily grind to prepare your home or business for natural disaster.  Or, maybe you recognize the importance of planning for catastrophes and are looking for some good resources.  Either way, The Institute for Business and Home Safety (http://www.ibhs.org/) is looking out for you!

Their mission is to reduce deaths, injuries, property damage, economic losses and human suffering caused by natural disasters.  They envision a nation that positions and builds its businesses and homes to keep its citizens and their property safe from natural disasters.  The Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) is headquartered in Tampa, Florida.  Its membership includes more than 100 of the country's leading property-casualty insurers and re-insurers.  Associate membership is open to all others who support the mission, including individuals.

IBHS – Another lifesaving initiative from the insurance industry
 It was insurers who, in Colonial America, established bucket brigades and ultimately, fire departments; who, following the Great Chicago Fire, introduced America to building codes; and who helped prompt implementation of stronger bumpers and airbags. Underwriters Laboratories, the National Fire Protection Association, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety are all initiatives of the insurance industry.

Your insurance company has vested interest in protecting your home and business from disaster related damage.  The IBHS does this by increasing public awareness of the risks and the actions that will avoid or minimize disasters; developing and implementing loss-reduction steps in new and existing construction that is both practical and cost-effective; implementing wiser land-use planning; and improving building codes, code compliance, and product standards. 

5 minutes to a safer home and business
Now, with the help of The Institute for Business and Home Safety, preparing for natural disasters could never be easier!  With only 5-minutes of your time, right now, you can be on your way to a safer business or home.  Simply follow these 3 steps:

1. Identify your greatest risk: hurricane, hail, tornado, earthquake, flood, wildfire, or freezing weather.
2. Next, visit The Institute for Business and Home Safety at http://www.ibhs.org/
3. View free brochures, news updates, documents, and building code references pertaining to your greatest risk.

I hope you just visited the website for The Institute for Business and Home Safety, but if you haven’t yet, you can rest assured they are proactively working all across the United States to make your business and home a safer place to live and work!