The winter is well and truly here and while the cold is hard enough to handle, it's even harder when you know the weather reports show storms are on the way. From rain storms to snowstorms, storms have a huge impact on the home you're living in and you need to do what you can to protect your house from them. You would winter-proof your home so that you can stay warm, but what about staying safe? How do you prepare yourself then?
You need a plan in place before a storm hits, so it's important that you keep an eye on the weather ahead of you. You need to have a disaster plan for the whole family, and they need to be aware of it, too. If you know that you will be having heavy snowstorms, keep plumbers and electricians, a Storm Damage Repair Company and insurance people on speed dial. Once you have these phone numbers to hand at all times, you can feel a little safer in your efforts to protect yourself. So, what else could you do?
Weatherproof The House. A storm damage company can do wonders after the fact, but before a storm hits you need to be weatherproof where you can. Water lines along the exterior walls will prevent them from freezing nd breaking and you can weatherstrip your doors and windows, too. Adding insulation to the attic and the walls will help you to keep the heat in the home. You can add thermal doors and window covers, too, on the inside so that they don't blow off in the wind. If your roof has any leaks, you need to get these fixed and plugged as soon as possible!
Disaster Plan The Interior. Installing smoke alarms - or checking the ones that you already have - will ensure that you are alerted to any possible fires started by lightning. Any fireplaces and wood stoves should be tested monthly and have a carbon monoxide alarm nearby, too. Equip your home with fire extinguishers and fire blankets, too, so that you are in control should something spark. You have to ensure that your home isn't going to be a fire hazard in the event of a thunderstorm taking out the nearby electrics. While you check all of the heaters, have an expert come in and check the furnace over.
Car Emergency Care. If you have a car, create a kit and have it in the boot of the car for an easy getaway. Storms can be unpredictable and flash flooding and blizzards are a huge risk. If you have a bag in the car with water, flashlights, batteries and food, including blankets and spare clothes, you're going to be equipped when you need to stay somewhere else. Don't forget to include chargers for your phone and spare change - just in case! You should ensure that your car is in good working order before the storms set in, which is why it’s important to keep an eye on the weather.
