Risks of Living in a Trailer Home

Mobile homes are much safer than they were a few years ago. The manufacture of mobile homes is overseen by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD is also responsible for ensuring that all new homes comply with HUD requirements for installation and manufacture. As a result of new policies, mobile homes are safer than in the past but there are many pre-existing mobile homes across the country that do not comply with current HUD safety requirements.

More mobile homes are manufactured in Texas than in any state. Alabama ranks second. In Alabama, 16 percent of the state population resides in a manufactured home. Federal manufacturing standards reflect HUD’s concerns about the safety, durability and stability of mobile homes.

Statistics About Mobile Homes

The National Weather Service (NWS) reports the following statistics regarding mobile homes and tornadoes.

• By August 9, 2012, the NWS reported 68 US fatalities caused by tornadoes. If the 68, 48 lived in mobile homes.

• In 2011, 553 persons died as a result of tornadoes. The location of 79 victims was unknown. Of the 474 remaining fatalities, 112 victims were residing in mobile homes.

• In 2010, 45 persons died in tornadoes. 20 of the victims were in mobile homes.

While tornadoes are not the only risks presented by mobile homes, they are certainly a cause for concern. Manufacturers agree that mobile homes are not designed to withstand storms as violent as tornadoes. If a tornado is imminent, the residents of a mobile home should seek safety in another type structure.

In addition to the risk of a tornado, mobile home occupants should pay attention to the trees surrounding the home. If a tree is likely to fall in seve4re weather, the tree should be removed as the home will most likely not withstand the fall.

The Data Plate

Today, all new mobile homes are required to provide the owner and resident with a Data Plate. The plate can usually be found in a cabinet in the kitchen. The Date Plate notifies the occupant of the Wind Zone capability of the mobile home and the Thermal Zone rating.

Wind Zone – The Wind Zone will notify the occupant of the type and strength of winds the home can handle. Each state has different Wind Zones. The occupant should know the Wind Zone where the mobile home is located.

The Thermal Zone – The Thermal Zone depicts the mobile home’s ability to survive extreme weather conditions such as snow,, heat or cold.

If the mobile home does not have a Data Plate, occup0ants should not buy or rent the home. In addition to reading and understanding the information on the home’s Data Plate, occupants should take it upon themselves to periodically examine the metal straps that connect the home to the metal anchors mounted in the ground. These straps have metal bolts that can be tightened to secure the home. These bolts should be tightened at least once every year. In many cases, more than once is prudent.

By following these steps, the occupant can enjoy peace of mind while residing in a mobile home.