Natural Disasters
How to Prepare for a Flood
Discover essential steps to prepare for a flood and learn ways to flood-proof your home to protect your loved ones and personal property from harm.
Holiday Home Disasters Most Likely to Occur in Your State
Are you curious about holiday home disasters in your state? Read our analysis of the most popular states for common disasters and helpful tips for prevention.
SERVPRO Restoration Review
With thousands of locations across the country, SERVPRO offers professional cleaning and restoration services for homes and businesses that require mold removal or have been damaged by flooding, fires, or other disasters. Learn about the benefits and the drawbacks of the company in this SERVPRO restoration review.
ServiceMaster Restore Review
When choosing a restoration company to preserve and protect your home after a crisis, it’s important to do your homework. In this ServiceMaster Restore review, we examine the company’s services, availability, and reputation to help you determine if it’s right for your restoration needs.
How To Wire a Portable Generator
Ask This Old House master electrician Heath Eastman explains a few different methods for hooking up a portable generator to a house.
What to Know About Household Safety
While accidents and hazards in the home seem to happen randomly, we can do a great deal to reduce their likelihood by being proactive about household safety. Read our tips for keeping you and your family safe.
How to Prepare Yourself for Natural Disasters and Storms
In this guide, we show you how to stay prepared and protect your family and your home when a natural disaster strikes.
How to Safeguard Your House from Wildfires
Learn how to make your home more resistant to wildfires with This Old House host Kevin O'Connor and fire expert Dan Gorham.
How To Retrofit a Home for Earthquakes and When To Hire Pros
Read our step-by-step guide on how to retrofit a home for earthquakes so that you can be prepared for this natural disaster. We cover costs, potential savings and more.
How To Install Whole House Lightning Protection
This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook travels to central Florida to install a lightning protection system.
3 Things to Do Before a Storm
Do these simple tasks before severe weather hits to help minimize or even prevent costly damage to your home
Whole-House Battery Backup
Home battery backup systems could be part of our energy future. Learn more about how they work, their cost, and what benefits they bring.
Free Tools for Hurricane Harvey Relief
Ask This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook helps the Houston Community Tool Bank put together a rental order for Harvey relief.
How to Prevent Plumbing Leaks Automatically
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey demonstrates a wireless detector that can shut off the water in case of a flood.
Understanding the Dangers of Home Fires
Watch as Ask This Old House host Kevin O’Connor visits Underwriters Laboratories to see first-hand how dangerous fires can be.
How To Build a Storm Shelter to Stay Safe During Disaster
Worried about staying safe at home during storms? Learn all the ins and outs of building a storm shelter with our in-depth guide.
Disaster Supply Kit: How to Prepare for Severe Weather
Learn how to prepare yourself, your family, and your home for severe weather with our storm survival kit and preparedness checklist.
How To Choose Hurricane Window Protection for Your Home
Hurricane window protection can protect your home and loved ones from storm surge, high winds, and heavy rainfall. Learn more in our guide.
How to Stop Your Basement From Flooding
Afraid of water in the basement? Avoid a flooding disaster with damage-prevention specialist Michael Milligan.
Rising Above in Coastal Flood Zones
To survive the next big storm, more and more houses will need a lift. It's a smart move seen around the country—and in the Spring 2013 season of This Old House.
14 Supplies to Help You Prepare for a Blizzard
What you need to prepare for a snowstorm so you have the essentials before, during, and after an emergency strikes.
Smart and Safe Storm Cleanup Tips for Your Home
Getting your home back into shape after storms may require more than a broom and a mop. Here's our best advice for managing the aftermath.
Hurricane Prep: An Essential Storm Safety Checklist
If a storm is approaching your area, follow these safety steps to ensure the safety of you and your family.
Water, Water Everywhere
When the basement floods, here's how to beat back the tide
Dealing With Household Disasters
Floods, collapsed ceilings, trapped critters, and smoke damage happen. But with our homeowner survival tips, you'll know just what to do when trouble strikes.
How to Build a Fireproof Home Using ICF Blocks
Learn how insulated concrete forms—combined with fire-resistant exterior and interior materials—make for one safe home.
Tips for Protecting Your Home From a Hurricane
In this guide, we show you how to limit the chances of harm and learn how to protect your home before and during a hurricane.
How To Board Up Windows for a Hurricane
Preparing your house for an impending hurricane or tropical storm? Here’s how to install plywood panels to keep flying debris at bay.
This Roof Resists Hurricanes, Collects Water
Bermuda's limestone roofs withstand hurricanes and collect precious rainwater
Fire Extinguishers: Your Ultimate Guide to Home Safety
What type of fire extinguishers should you have in your home? Where should they be placed? Find answers to these questions and more.
How to Escape a Fire
Keep your family safe with these safety tips for escaping a fire.