As summer winds down and the temperature begins to drop, it becomes the time of year when leaves begin to change color and fall from the trees, frost begins to form on surfaces and weather patterns change.
It’s also a good time to start preparing your home for whatever weather event may happen. According to Ready.gov, each week should be devoted to a different subject, from making a plan to preparing an emergency kit. This year, dealing with COVID-19 means taking extra measures to stay healthy in an emergency.
For your home:
Trim Large and/or Dying Trees - Some of the worst damage that can happen to a home during a major storm is the result of falling trees. While the weather is nice, make sure to inspect all your shrubs and trees and remove any branches that may come crashing into your home.
Make Sure Your Gutters are Clean - When leaves fall it is especially important to keep your gutters clean of leaves and debris. This not only helps protect your siding and landscaping, but it can also help prevent costly water damage to your foundation. Make sure to inspect where the downspout meets the gutter system as this is a spot where clogs frequently occur.
Secure Your Outdoor Furniture - If the weather is still nice, you may still have your patio or deck set up. Before bad weather hits, make sure you have tightly secured any furniture, or by tying multiple pieces of furniture together with bungee cords so that their combined mass and weight can function like a natural anchor. If you have the space, another good option is to bring the furniture inside until after the storm has passed.
Put Together an Emergency Kit
Here are the 15 minimum supplies recommended by the American Red Cross. Since Spring of 2020, the CDC has recommended people include additional items in their kits to help prevent the spread of coronavirus or other viruses and the flu:
Water
Non-perishable food
Flashlight
Radio (battery-powered or hand-crank)
Batteries
First Aid Kit
Medications
Multi-purpose tool
Personal hygiene & sanitation items
Copies of personal documents
Cell phones & chargers
Emergency & family contact info
Cash
Blanket
Area Maps
Cloth face coverings (for everyone ages 2 and above), soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes
Know Your Evacuation Plan
Lastly, in case the storm turns out to be severe, make sure you have a safe place to take shelter. Communicate with your family and make a plan well in advance so everyone is prepared.
If your home is damaged by a storm, call the restoration professionals of Dry Master Restorations as soon as you can. A quick response helps to minimize and prevent further damage, reducing your costs. We have the specialized expertise and equipment to help you quickly dry and restore your home to its pre-storm condition.