Now that summer is in full swing, people all over the world will start seeing summer storms start rolling in soon. In fact, in some areas, summer storms have already made their appearance.
While some summer storms are fun to watch from the windows of your home, when the action gets too close, you want to be sure that you’re safe and protected where it matters most. So aside from ensuring that you have the right homeowner’s insurance that you can use when damage is done, what else can you do to prepare for disaster?
To help you with this, here are three tips for preparing your home for summer storms.
Prepare The Exterior Of Your Home
The exterior of your home is your first line of defense when it comes to protecting your property and family during summer storms. Because of this, you want to be sure that you can quickly and easily have the exterior of your home ready when a storm is on the horizon.
According to Don Vandervort, a contributor to HomeTips.com, some of the things you’ll want to do or take care of on the outside of your home include cleaning our and repairing your gutters, having a way to cover or anchor outdoor furniture or equipment, and keep your hedges and trees trimmed. By doing these things, you’ll be able to minimize any damage that could be done to your home or property during a storm.
Keep Emergency Supplies On-Hand
Once you’re feeling confident in your home’s ability to protect everyone and everything inside, it’s time to start thinking about how you’ll keep everyone inside safe and comfortable while the storms rage on outside.
A big part of this is ensuring that you have the right emergency supplies on-hand before the storms even start. According to the National Association of Home Builders, this should include things like a battery-powered radio, non-perishable food, plenty of water, blankets, and extra batteries for things like flashlights.
Consider Getting A Generator
Many summer storms bring about strong rain, gusty winds, and lightning that could knock out the power in your area. While you will likely be able to easily handle losing power for a few hours, you might want to be prepared in the event that your power isn’t restored for a longer period of time.
To keep things going as normally as possible, Danny Lipford, a contributor to Today’s Homeowner, suggests looking into getting a generator. This will allow you to use things like your refrigerator and other electronics even when the power’s out.
If you live in an area where summer storms are frequent or powerful, consider using the tips mentioned above to help prepare yourself and your home for these potential storms this season.