Do you live in an area of the country where severe weather can be expected? This can take the form of thunderstorms, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, or other natural events. If this is the case, you need to make sure that you and your family are fully prepared. Here are some handy tips for you to keep in mind.
Make Sure Your Doors and Windows Are Sealed
The first thing you will need to do is properly seal and insulate all of the doors and windows in your home. You may need to replace the door weather seal with a brand new one. Doing so will be the best way to make sure that excess water or cold moisture doesn’t get into your home during a storm or other heavy weather event.
You should likewise make sure that your windows are also sealed in the proper manner. This can prevent condensation from forming on them. It will also keep your family safe if the winds begin to whip up. The more solidly you can seal your windows and doors, the better. Resealing them is money that is well spent.
Keep Away From the Windows During Storms
Windows can be a real danger if you live in an area that is prone to storms. Even if your windows and doors have been properly sealed, you should still stay away from them. High winds can blow objects, such as sticks, rocks, or other debris, into the windows and doors of your home, causing the broken glass to fly.
Make Sure Your Insurance is Up to Date
Your next move should be to make sure that you have the right policy of insurance to protect your home during a storm. The thing that you can need to keep in mind is that specific forms of damage caused by storms may not be part of your homeowner’s policy. This includes floods, fires, mudslides, and so on.
However, you can quickly purchase forms of insurance that will cover all of the events that are likely to occur in your area. This will give you the coverage you need to protect your home in case it should sustain damage during a storm. The sooner you get this coverage, the easier it will be to protect your family.
Make Sure Your Roof is in Good Shape
One of the best ways to keep your home safe from a storm is to make sure your roof is in good condition. You need to get up there from time to time to check out the tiles, shingles, and related areas. These can include beams, supports, drains, gutters, and other places. If any problems exist, fix them.
You may be able to do some of the work on your own. This can include replacing shingles or applying a sealing solution around the chimney and drain pipes. If there are areas you can’t reach, don’t try. At this point, it’s best to call in expert roofing service. They can quickly do the hard work on your behalf.
Clear Your Yard to Prevent Storm Damage
You should take steps to clear out your yard to make sure that you don’t sustain damage from falling or flying objects during a storm. If the trees in front of your home have overhanging limbs, call a service to trim them off. Objects like lawn chairs, flower pots, trash cans, and ornaments should also be removed.
If you still have out-of-date TV antennas or cable dishes on your roof, call a service to take them down. You can also take steps to secure objects such as children’s swing sets, playhouses, boats, sheds, and doghouses. Doing so will prevent them from getting uprooted during a heavy storm.
Common Sense is the Key to Safety
Always remember that the best way to stay safe is to use your common sense. If you see any areas in your home that could lead to a loss of safety, take care of them. It’s better to spend a bit of time and money to fix them now than to have to do so after a storm. The best way to solve these issues is to prevent them.