Shrink Film Plays a Key Role in the Aftermath of Natural Disasters
When your home has been devastated by a fire, hurricane, earthquake, or other disaster, you naturally have a lot of things on your mind—should shrink film be one of them?
Shrink film shields your belongings from wind, moisture, and other elements year-round. You can shrink wrap your boat or classic car for winter storage, your furniture and other belongings during a move, or your company’s heavy machinery for transport. However, did you know shrink film also plays an important role in disaster relief efforts?
Here’s a breakdown of the role shrink film plays after a natural disaster.
A Rising Tide of Weather Disasters
You may be lucky enough to never have had to deal with a disaster damaging your home. Unfortunately, though, weather disasters have been hitting more and more frequently over the years—and hitting harder, too. The possibility that our homes might someday be damaged is a reality we have to face head-on and prepare for.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) tracks the annual number of weather events which cause over $1 billion of property damage. Between 1980 and 2016, there was an average of 5.5 of these billion-dollar weather disasters per year. However, between 2012 and 2016 there was an average of 10.6 such disasters per year, and in 2016 alone there were 15.
With the annual number of expensive weather disasters rising, it’s more important than ever to have a plan ready in case one strikes your region. Shrink film is an important part of that plan.
Shrink Film Prevents Further Damage
Shrink wrap is a tough, durable material used to keep out moisture, pests, and more. In the wake of a disaster, it can help protect your property from further damage by the elements. Situations where shrink film can come in handy include:
- Roof damaged by wind, rain, or hail
- Windows or doors broken by wind or debris
- Flooded basement or other areas
- Structural damage from a storm, quake, or fire
For example, shrink film can keep the elements (and debris) from entering through a crumbled roof or a broken window. It can also be used to contain leaks and flooding or to section off damaged or dangerous areas.
Is Shrink Wrap the Future of Disaster Relief?
Shrink film’s applications for disaster relief may be growing, too. In 2011, one company donated disaster shelters made from shrink wrap to Japanese tsunami and earthquake victims. The material’s durability and weather-resistance is the perfect fit for such a shelter. Will we see shrink film in more innovative solutions like this in the future?
Hopefully though, we won’t have to use shrink wrap to protect our homes anytime soon. In the meantime, it is still a perfect way to safeguard your boat, car, furniture, or other property from the elements. The experts at Unlimited Shrinkwrap have been working with shrink film in northern Illinois for years, and can handle a variety of projects. Give us a call at 815-759-8944 today and schedule a consultation!