For many homes around the country, bad weather is about to approach. In many areas they are more likely to face hurricanes, and even if you’re lucky enough to avoid those storms, Winter is not far behind. If you live in an area that typically gets harsh weather around this time of year, now is the perfect time to start preparing. Doing so early will help to you in keeping yourself and your home safe during any harsh weather that may arrive.
Start Moving Things Inside
One of the first things you should do is start moving things inside. Chances are you have some things outside that could easily be ruined by some strong wind or rain. Things like lawn chairs, decorations, and other furniture are all at risk during a storm.
Go around your home and gather up anything that can move. Find some empty storage, either in your garage, a shed, or in your basement, and place the items there for safekeeping. You don’t want to come outside after a storm to find that a tree branch fell directly through your nice deck table, so take every precaution you can now.
Protect Anything You Can’t Move
Unfortunately, there are some things outside that you can’t bring inside. Maybe you don’t have the space to bring in your table, or your car won’t fit into the garage. In situations like this you should still take steps to try to protect these items.
For example, you could tie your table down so the wind doesn’t take and place a cover over it. You could also get a cover for your car, or even custom boat covers if you have a boat. The more precautions you take now, the more likely it is that your things will remain safe and undamaged throughout any bad storms.
Clear Your Gutters
With that done, you still have some things outside that you should take care of. One of the most important steps is clearing out your gutters. Over time our gutters can become clogged with various bits of debris. If this debris builds up too much, water will not have a place to filter out. The result is water seeping into your roof or flowing down the side of your home. If you know a big storm is on the way, take some time to get up on a ladder and clear out any debris. You’re going to be dealing with a lot of rain, so you want your gutters to be in perfect condition.
Inspect Your Roof
While you’re up on your ladder, try to give your roof a quick inspection. Make sure there are no broken shingles, or anything resting on the roof that shouldn’t be there. Your roof is going to take the brunt of the storm, so you want it to be in good condition. If you notice any tree limbs hanging over the roof, it’s a good idea to have those trimmed back before the storms arrive. Heavy winds can break weak tree limbs, and you don’t want them falling onto your home.
Guard the Windows
One of the weak spots in your home is the windows. If there is a particularly bad storm on the way, you should consider boarding up the windows to help protect the home. You don’t want heavy winds or debris to come crashing in, bringing broken glass in with them. If you have shutters, now is the time to use them, or you can get some wooden boards from a local hardware supply store.
Stock Up on Supplies
Finally, you may be stuck inside your home for quite some time. That’s why it’s a good idea to stock up on supplies well before any storm arrives. Some things you’ll want to get are: bottled water, non-perishable food items, basic toiletries, a few weeks’ worth of any prescriptions you’re on, first aid supplies, and emergency supplies such as batteries, flashlights, candles, etc. Here is a list of the 11 most essential items to get before a storm to help you out.
Keep in mind that if a bad storm is coming, other people in your area will be needing supplies as well. Do your shopping as early as you can so that when the storm is on its way, you can focus on preparing your home and not waiting in line at the supermarket.
Don’t Wait to Start Preparing
Storms are unpredictable, and you never know when one might come through. Your best bet is to start preparing your home now, knowing the season for harsh weather is upon us. That way, if a bad storm does pop up, you won’t have much to do in order to get ready for it.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
