The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes - FLASH, Inc. is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization dedicated to promoting disaster safety and property loss mitigation.

To promote life safety, property protection and economic well-being by strengthening homes and safeguarding families from natural and manmade disasters.

Innovation. Designing and developing effective and easy-to-use tools and techniques to foster mitigation behavior change.

Integrity. Delivering consistently reliable, useful and technically accurate information and services.

Collaboration. Forging strategic partnerships with like-minded individuals and organizations that share a commitment to the disaster safety movement.

To partner with like-minded organizations from the public, private and non-profit sector; to demonstrate leadership through creation of useful and reliable disaster safety education programs; and to sponsor ongoing outreach initiatives to encourage citizens to build, buy and use buildings that are constructed or retrofitted with disaster safety in mind.

frequently asked questions

What is FLASH
What type of information is available from FLASH® ?
Is there a charge for the information or FLASH® materials?
How can I become a member of FLASH® ?
As a member, what will I receive?
How does FLASH® receive its funding?
How does FLASH® develop its materials?
How can I be sure the information on the FLASH® website is accurate?
If I have a specific problem, can I contact FLASH® directly?

As a building professional (contractor, engineer), how can I learn more about building codes and "code-plus" building techniques?
As a homeowner, how can I find a reputable contractor to work on my home?
What is the most important part of my home to be strengthened against high winds?

The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, Inc. FLASH® is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization dedicated to promoting disaster safety and property loss mitigation. FLASH was founded in Florida in 1998 as the Florida Alliance for Safe Homes. Today it has grown into one of the most respected disaster preparedness organizations in the nation, with more than 75 partners from government, business, academia and not-for-profit organizations. The organization's mission is to promote life safety, property protection and economic well being by strengthening homes and safeguarding families from natural and manmade disasters.

FLASH produces a wide variety of materials and programs that focus on educating consumers and building professionals about the importance of strengthening homes and safeguarding families from disaster. The list of programs can be found in the Programs section of this website and include:

• Animated Homeowner How-To's A series of unique animations that guide a homeowner or builder step by step through the latest tested and approved mitigation techniques for the home. These include: Foundations, Hail, Lightning, Roof, Safe Landscaping, Safe Rooms, Straps, Walls, Windows and Doors, and Wildfire.

• Blueprint for Safety TM A comprehensive training program designed with the building professional in mind. This award-winning, innovative program teaches professionals about latest disaster-resistant techniques and products.

• FLASH® Cards FLASH Cards provide concise, accurate disaster-safety information that has been thoroughly reviewed and approved by the nation's leading emergency management professionals. Due to popular demand, the number of cards has expanded to include 20 topics, which are available in English and Spanish. Topics include: Emergency Board-Up, Flooding Safety, Hail, Hurricanes, Lightning, Pet Safety, Power Outage, Severe Winds, Terrorism, Wildfire and Winter Freeze.

• One-Stop Hazard Resource Guide Originally developed as a media reference guide, the FLASH One-Stop Resource Guides provide concise safety information in a compact format for consumers. The original book, the One-Stop Hurricane Resource Guide for Florida, is now in its fourth printing, with tens of thousands being distributed to consumers and the media across the state.

There is no charge to consumers for FLASH materials. Large groups, businesses or associations wishing to order materials can email requests to FLASH@flash.org

It's simple to join FLASH. Send your name, address, phone number and e-mail address to FLASH@flash.org .   You can then request specific FLASH materials. Your personal information will never be shared or sold to another organization. We respect your privacy.

As a member you will receive issues of the FLASH newsletter Blueprint for Safety News . This publication is available in both print and electronic editions. Please let us know when you join FLASH if you have a preference for receiving the print or e-mailed versions.

FLASH receives funding from both private and public sources.

FLASH brings together a team of the most respected experts in the fields of emergency management, engineering, construction, meteorology, education and communications to develop its public education materials for technical accuracy and clarity.

All the information has been reviewed by FLASH's team of experts in the fields of emergency management, engineering, construction, meteorology, education and communications to ensure technical accuracy and clarity.

Consumers can call FLASH's toll-free hotline 1-877-221-SAFE (7233) with specific questions about strengthening their homes from disaster. Depending on the question's complexity, FLASH staff will refer questions to a team of building professionals and engineers who often speak directly with the homeowner.

The FLASH website, www.flash.org and its companion site www.blueprintforsafety.org contain a wealth of concise and accurate information on the latest building techniques and products.

It is essential that your contractor be licensed and insured before any work is undertaken. Check with the state agency that handles the licensing of professionals and your local Better Business Bureau for any complaints on file. Be cautious about hiring contractors to repair or rebuild your damaged property. Remember the old adage: "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." FLASH urges consumers to follow these common-sense guidelines:

• Get estimates from at least three licensed, insured contractors. Beware of contractors soliciting work door-to-door.

• Ask for and check references of other work the contractor has done.

• Ask for proof of insurance. If the contractor does not have disability and workers' compensation insurance, you may be liable for accidents on your property.

• Ask for a written estimate. Read the fine print. Make sure it includes everything you expect the contractor to do.

• Get a contract in writing. It should cover exactly what work is to be done, when work will start, how much it will cost, payment schedules, and the quality of materials to be used. Once signed, the contract is legally binding on both you and the contractor.

• Never make full payment up front. Don't sign over an insurance settlement check to the contractor. Reputable contractors will accept payment based upon the percentage of work completed.

• Don't make final payment until the work is finished. Obtain lien waivers to ensure that no one who supplied materials can put a lien on your home because the contractor did not pay them.

• Make sure all work that requires city or county permits and inspections is officially approved in writing before the final payment is made.

The most important step you can take in preparing for high winds is to make sure that the exterior of your house (often called the "building envelope") is sealed. That means tightly covering all windows and doors to prevent wind from entering. If you can keep the wind outside, you and your possessions will be safe inside. Garage doors may be the most vulnerable to damage and failure from hurricane force winds.   First ,the relatively long span of opening that they cover frequently make them the largest single door in the house, and second, the materials they are built with may be unable to withstand the wind and debris impact pressures produced in a hurricane.   Approximately 80% of residential hurricane damage starts with wind entry through garage doors. Ideally, garage doors should be impact and wind pressure rated and meet the requirements of Miami-Dade County for garage doors.