What to do to prepare for a Summer Storm.

6/10/2019 (Permalink)

Make sure you have a first kit handy. Make sure you have at least the following items: bandages, pain relievers, antiseptic, tweezers, and scissors.

Make sure the gutters are clear.  I know this seems like a fall job but with the wind a debris that can come from any storm, you don't want the gutters to clog and pool water around your foundation. 

Be prepare for power outages. Along with owning a backup generator, flashlights, and a battery- or solar-powered cell phone charger, you should also keep a battery-operated radio handy. You should make sure that you keep a list of emergency contacts somewhere accessible. Your cell phone may lose power and your will want to have some numbers written down for back up. 

Make sure you have an evacuation plan. Between the Weather Channel, Twitter, and other alert systems, you should be comfortably aware of any severe weather warnings. Plan in the event of hurricanes, tornadoes, or floods for  a safe place to take shelter.

Fill up your bathtubs with water. If something goes wrong, you will have a fresh supply of clean water to drink or use for bathing and flushing the toilets.

Reinforce your windows. If your area has been warned of an impending hurricane or tornado, you should reinforce your windows with wooden boards so that – even if the glass is broken – your home will remain relatively dry and undisturbed.

Inspect your trees and shrubbery. Don't have tall trees etc by your HVAC system. Have your trees checked by a specialist. You want to have dead trees removed and shrubbery trimmed etc. 

Store water and non-perishable foods. If you live in an area prone to power outages, you should consider storing bottled water and non-perishable food items, such as canned goods, energy bars, and peanut butter, in a safe and dry place.

Secure outdoor furniture. When a hurricane, tornado, or severe storm hits, any lightweight item can become a projectile. If you can bring things inside if you can secure them down. 

Plan on some activities. Especially if you have some children. A powerful storm can be stressful,especially after the power has gone out. Have some fun things planned to keep everyone distracted.