How to Prepare Your Home for Severe Weather

Summer is such a wonderful season — everything is growing back after the cold, dead winter months, bringing warmth and light back into everyone’s lives; birds are singing, flowers are blooming, and windows are letting out the musty hibernating vibe that lingers in a home from November to April. With summer, however, comes the whiplash weather that leaves a groan in everybody’s throats; tornado, thunderstorm, and hurricane season has begun. Believe it or not, there are actually ways to keep the damage at a minimum! Here are some ways to prepare your home for the severe incoming weather:

OUTSIDE

1) One of the most important things you can do to prepare yourself for severe weather is to inspect your roof. Even if you just had it replaced the year prior, taking a quick look over any damage left by winter could save you a lot of trouble. While it might not have leaked in the cold months, not that the temperature as gone up, there is a higher chance that it could leak water into your home or even collapse.

2) Trim the trees. This is something a lot of electrical companies do to make power lines accessible as well as keep them safe in a storm. If you have trees that are close to your house, be sure to have any large, overhanging branches removed.

3) Remove any outdoor furniture or other items that might be carried away easily. You can always take them back outside, but if you know that there is a storm coming, be sure to bring cushions, tables, and anything else inside that is easy to lift; should high-level winds come through, they can send those objects flying through a window in an instant.

4) Make sure all outdoor outlets are properly covered. If you wouldn’t want the outlet you’re using for your television to get wet, why would you want the one on your front porch to? Keep them covered to avoid any electrical fires.

5) Clear your rain gutters, downspouts, and drains of any leaves or other debris. This will allow water to flow freely away from your roof and help maintain the longevity of it, as well as keep any other walls or windows from sprouting a leak.

INSIDE

1) Keep steps clear. If you’re fast asleep and the sirens come on in the middle of the night, then you and your family are going to want to get down to the basement (or whatever lowest point there is) as quickly as possible. Keep any stairs clear of objects to avoid a fall and allow easy access.

2) Relocate your valuables. If you have any special objects, such as a chest full of old pictures or books, placed by the window, then move them to an internal wall, just in case a window or a door breaks or begins to leak

3) Have an emergency plan. Even if it’s just a simple, “Go Here” taped to the refrigerator, have something handy so you and family or guests can know what to do in the event of severe weather.