5 Tips to Prepare Your Family For Storm Season This Year

With global warming on the rise and hurricane season on the horizon, many families become concerned about the safety of their loved ones in the summer months.

The threat of storm season can be overwhelming if you’re prone to worrying about your kids. However, there are several things you can do to prepare for a potentially dangerous storm to reduce anxiety and feel like your family is safe.

Here are five ways you can be proactive before storm season and protect your family.

1. Prepare To-Go Bags

With modern-day technology, it is easy to know when a storm is supposed to hit, but this does not mean that everything will be available in a time of panic.

If a state issues a mandatory evacuation order, the best thing to do is leave your home as soon as possible. To get out of the house as quickly as possible, we recommend having everyone in your house pack a to-go bag ahead of time. Store each baggie in a safe space that’s out of reach from your children, like a supplies closet. This way, you can just grab each bag and head for the car on the day of an emergency.

These bags can include:

  • Bottled water
  • Non-perishable snacks
  • First aid essentials
  • Small toys, stickers, crayons, etc.

2. Storm Proof Your House

The last thing that you want to worry about in a time of crisis is the safety of your home. To avoid this, invest in storm-proof solutions for your home.

According to this metal roofing Pittsburgh company, galvanized steel, zinc, copper, and aluminum are strong storm-proof materials that will keep your roof safe. Having storm shutters can further protect your home against the elements.

Ensure that you bring in any flowerpots, secure all basketball hoops, and bring toys inside at the first signs of a storm. It is crucial to ensure that your possessions won’t go flying off and damaging someone else’s home.

3. Stock Up On Necessities

When the first sign of a storm hits, the first move for most people is to flock to the nearest grocery store and hoard necessities. To avoid panic, stock up on supplies before the storm season hits.

Make sure that you and your family have:

  • Flashlights
  • Batteries
  • Bottled water
  • Non-perishable foods

Stock up on these items now and enjoy peace of mind knowing that you don’t have to worry about food and water in the event of an emergency.

4. Reach Out To Those Around You

The entire neighborhood can get involved in storm-proofing. Reach out to neighbors to remind them to take in their lawn decorations, or even to help them put up storm shutters.

When evacuating, trade phone numbers with your neighbors so that you can have someone to be in contact with in case one of you comes back early or decides to stay.

5. Educate Yourself

The best tools against any dangerous storm are preparation and a strong education. By staying updated on the storm’s progress, you can predict its movements and avoid being blindsided if it moves towards your area.

Stay current with your local authorities. They should post their own updates on their social media pages to inform your county’s residents of any potential danger and how severe the storm is.

Other Tips to Prepare Your Family for Storm Season This Year

Maintain Your Terrace and Yard

Even large objects like patio furniture, trampolines, and roofing iron can be picked up and blown around by strong winds, which can cause damage to windows, rooftops, and automobiles. Try to maintain the area around your property clean. Determine the items that you might require securing or putting away if a severe storm or powerful wind is predicted. It is possible that you would like to incorporate this information into your strategy. Storms can impact your home even when you are away on vacation, so if you are leaving soon, you should give some thought to securing these items and taking any other appropriate precautions before you go.

Clear Out Gutters, Pipes, and Drains

It is essential to keep your gutters and downpipes clear as blockages can cause water to overflow under the eaves into the roof cavity. This can be prevented by keeping your gutters and downpipes clear. It is important to remove leaves from the valleys of your roof because they will otherwise get into the downspouts when it rains heavily. It is important to keep the drains that are located around your property clean to facilitate the movement of surface water away from your property and to prevent water from pooling and entering your property. The drainage drains in courtyards and other areas around houses are frequently disguised with potted plants. If it looks like it’s going to rain heavily, make careful to move these. If there is a chance of intense rainfall, you should move your vehicle away from low-lying regions and drains.

Re-evaluate Your Roofing

It is important to inspect your roof for any indications of damage at least once a year and again after significant events such as hail storms. Repair any tiles that are fractured, cracked, or displaced. The accumulation of dirt needs to be cleaned up because it has the potential to clog the drainage passages on the underside of the tiles. 

If the roof covering is damaged, either it needs to be patched or it needs to be replaced. Check the interior of your attic space. If light can penetrate your roof or sarking, also known as a waterproof insulation membrane, this may indicate that your roof or sarking has been injured. 

If you are unsure about your ability to inspect and maintain your roof, it is best to get in touch with a skilled professional who specializes in the field. Working on a roof can be risky. Every five to seven years, you should have a skilled tradesperson examine your roof. They can locate problems and provide solutions for them, such as re-pointing, re-bedding, and replacing the ridge or hip plates.

Verify That Your Insurance Coverage Is Sufficient and up to Date

Take into consideration aspects such as the sort of insurance that covers the building itself, which is reserved for homeowners and mortgagees. Contents insurance, on the other hand, is open to everyone. Think about the amount of coverage that your insurance policy provides. 

Make sure that your homeowner’s insurance coverage protects you against the kinds of disasters that are common in your area. Some examples of such disasters are sudden floods, stormwater runoff, associated landslides or landslides, and property damage caused by trees.  

Trim Trees and Branches That Can Potentially Fall into Your House

Check with your local council to see if there are any guidelines or consent applications that are necessary. Keep in mind that your safety is the most important thing, and if it becomes necessary, seek the counsel of an experienced arborist or tree surgeon who is insured. Every two to three years, have trees inspected by a certified arborist to determine whether any preventative measures are required. 

When digging or excavating around trees, exercise extreme caution because causing injury to the roots is one of the leading causes of tree death. If there is a chance of extreme storms and high winds, you should remember to park your vehicle away from any nearby trees. 

When planting trees and shrubs, it is important to consider the eventual size of the tree and use this information to direct the location of the planting. When planting, choose specimens that are healthy and able to support themselves, and use excellent planting techniques. For further information, reputable garden centers and nurseries should be consulted.

Create a Family Emergency Plan with Your Family

Think about where you’re going to go and how you will stay in communication with each other, as well as any unique circumstances or factors that pertain to your household. Keep in mind that severe weather and different types of disasters can strike at any time of the day, and because of this, you should plan to determine where the members of your family will be, how you will communicate with them, and where you can all meet up. 

Try to plan how you will deal with the situation and think about who you might be able to turn to for additional assistance. Ensure every person is aware of the strategy that has been devised.

Prepare Emergency Supplies

Consider the kinds of supplies you would require in the event of an unexpected event. If there is a power outage or if you are in a rush to depart the house, it may be not easy to locate these items. A sturdy and watertight container houses most of these items when they are stored in an emergency pack. Remember to store it in an area where it will be simple to get to. Be sure to pack your required medicines and prescriptions, essential paperwork, and plans for dealing with any potential emergencies.

Unplug all the Appliances in Your Home

It is important to relocate appliances and other household appliances away from openings in external doors and windows. Put them away in cupboards or closets inside the house.

Be Updated

Information that is unique to your region will be broadcast on the radio station that is broadcasting in your location. Using this information, you will be able to recognize things like areas that are at risk of flash flooding, roads that are closed, evacuation centers, and recovery centers. 

Storms can cause power outages, and water can damage electrical outlets inside your home; as a result, you should ensure that you have battery-operated flashlights and radios, as well as extra batteries for each of these devices.  

Transfer Your Vehicles

You should either drive your vehicles to higher ground or position them inside the garage with their doors against the wall. Do not park your vehicle in low-lying locations, under trees, or near power lines.

Conclusion

While storm season is a scary time, you can trust these five steps to ensure your family’s safety. While you can prepare by stocking up on supplies and staying current on the storm’s movements, remember that you are not in this alone. Reach out to neighbors and inquire about how they plan for storm season – you might even learn a few tips not covered on this list.

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