Your home is a shelter. It protects your loved ones and your possessions from the elements. Sometimes, the elements are too strong, and damage can occur. Fortunately, there are measures you can take to protect your home from potential storms before the risk presents itself.
Stay informed
The most important thing you can do to protect your home is to know when the damage may occur. Be aware of your surroundings, keep up with the weather, and pay attention to storm alerts. Be aware that even if the storm has followed a certain path at a certain strength, the weather is unpredictable, and one should expect the unexpected. Therefore, if a strong storm will be making its way near you, prepare yourself as if it were expected to fall on your home, as there’s no reason why a storm can’t “change its mind”.
Protect outdoor items
Even something as innocuous as a solar light can cause damage to your home in high winds. In order to protect your outdoor items and your home, remove lawn furniture, outdoor decor, and other outdoor items. Store them in an outbuilding, or beneath your home. If you cannot move them inside or to any other safe storage area, group them together and close to a wall, as they’re less likely to be picked up by wind that way. Do not move them near windows, no matter how lightweight the items are or how strong your shutters are.
Maintenance is important as well. Ensuring that your trees are trimmed and dead limbs are removed is vital to the safety of your home during a storm. If you know that storm season is approaching, this is especially important. You also want to make sure that your roof is in top condition, and repair any damages as soon as they occur. This is especially important if you live in a storm prone area. Loose branches, tiles, or any other debris can do a lot of damage to your home in strong winds.
Flooding
If there is a chance that your home will flood, you should shut off your main electric breaker. This will protect you and your home from fires or otherwise destroyed wiring and electrics. You should also roll up any throw rugs and remove furniture that could be damaged by water, and store them on a higher floor or on top of other furniture. Do not leave any items on the floor, especially items that you don’t want to see destroyed.
Flooding can affect your home from the outside as well. Make sure your gutters are clear, and be aware of any cracks or weaknesses in your foundation. These repairs will ensure that heavy waters do not overwhelm and destroy your home, which can lead to mold and insect infestation (besides the obvious water damage).
Indoor items
When you know a severe storm is coming that could do damage to your home, be sure to secure the items within your home. If you are in danger of experiencing high winds, secure the windows and clear the windowsills. In case water does get into your home, close all doors and secure all openings such as mantles and fireplaces. This way, any inevitable flooding may be somewhat contained.
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