It’s that time of year again – storm season.
Every year storms cause millions of dollars in damages. And the number one reason for all that damage is people are not properly prepared. Paying close attention to the weather forecast during storm season is the best way to increase your reaction time. By staying alert, and following this storm season checklist, you’ll be much better prepared for violent storms, which will help prevent damages to your home.
Keep your Gutters Clean. If your gutters are full and overflowing with leaves and debris, they are not going to be able to handle heavy rains. Clean all your gutters and run water through them to ensure that they are free flowing. Water that exits your gutters should flow away from your house.
Trim Trees. As trees grow and branch out, they can become a hazard waiting to happen. Trim branches so they do not overhang onto your roof, or potentially smash your windows in violent wind gusts. It’s a good idea to keep your trees shorter than your house where possible.
Secure your yard. Clear your yard from any loose objects that can get blown around. Flying objects can smash windows and cause other damage to your home.
Make an Emergency Disaster Kit. A little bit of preparation can go a long way. Make sure that you have an emergency disaster kit ready. Talk to your family about what to do in the event of an emergency. Decide where you will all meet, and how each member of the family can get together in a single location.
It’s also a good idea to keep all of your important papers in an easy to grab box or safe that you can take with you. Keeping an updated inventory of your belongings and important items is important if you have insurance that will cover documented items. In addition, you’ll most likely need to take photographs of your items. Most importantly, be proactive and find out what your insurance will cover, and what it will not.
If you have damages to your home or business from a storm, or have any other questions about property restoration or storm preparation, call us today, S.T.O.P. of Fort Collins, at (800) 824-1584.
