C.J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
A Guide To Safeguarding Your Home Before A Storm
A Pew Research on climate conditions has indicated that 67% of the US population faces extreme weather. Indeed, the United States is no stranger to crazy weather conditions leading to losing lives and property. It is probably why households gear up for any eventuality at certain times of the year.
Rainbows can be a beautiful outcome of a bad storm
Moreover, when there is news of an impending storm or hurricane, homeowners board up their homes. Fortunately, there are many other things you can also do to get ready for bad weather. Here are some ideas you may find useful.
Being prepared for a hurricane can be easy with these simple ideas
1- Keep a basic emergency kit
During harsh weather conditions like heavy rains or storms, basic services are usually the first things to go. Water, gas, trash collection, electricity, etc., are examples of things that become scarce for a few days leading up to weeks. An emergency kit usually includes enough food supply, drinking water, flashlights, a first aid kit, a charged phone, and other essential supplies to last you for about a week. By this time, things start to return to normal and basic services resume.
While a basic emergency kit is purposely to sustain you and your family for a short period, you can make certain adjustments. If you have enough space at home to store more basic supplies, you may want to do that.
For example, sometime in 2021, a severe storm in Texas and other US states caused an extensive power outage. This resulted in over 33,000 homes and businesses bearing the brunt. According to news reports, those who planned adequately ahead of the storm did not suffer much. This alone is proof of the significance of stocking up on a basic emergency kit.
When living in a storm prone environment, you need to be prepared
2- Make provision for an alternate power source
It is better to have an alternative energy source to power basic appliances in the home during and after bad weather. For example, your HVAC, refrigerator, and water heating system should work. Assuming it was a severe snowstorm, your heating system will be significantly used. One of the useful alternative power sources to consider is getting a generator installation for your home.
Generators come in different horsepower, and the capacity you require will depend on the size of the home. There are also portable units that serve specific purposes. To avoid problems after the installation, it’s crucial to allow a home assessment before the final installation. Certainly, you may have little time to install a generator at home if the bad weather is only a few hours away. This option is usually a long-term measure you plan for, just in case of any eventuality.
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Lighting can strike a tree during a storm, causing damage to your home
3-Clear limbs and trim trees close to the house
Dead tree limbs and branches can cause extensive damage during a storm. The roof, windows, and exterior glass doors are the first to be hit when the storm occurs. Therefore, no matter how much you love the vegetation around your house, you need to decide between them.
Apart from storms, even heavy rains can uproot shallow roots, and your house could be compromised. Moreover, if you park your car in the driveway because your home does not have a garage, your automobile could be in the direct line of fire. Now that is the kind of costly repairs you can conveniently avoid.
C.J. (Carolyn) Braden is a regular contributor and editor for Carolyn’s Blooming Creations. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Little Ways to Get Back To You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.
This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links. All opinions and ideas expressed in this post, however, are based on my personal point of view.