With summer right around the corner, you can bet those summer storms aren’t too far behind. Mother nature can unleash quite the chaos on us Australians. We seem to get it all, from hail the size of golf balls to fast rising flood waters, and everything in between. When summer hits, NSW and QLD homes need to be ready for the storms.
There are several things you can do to prepare for storm season:
Secure Your Home and Yard
Summer storms can be beautiful things to watch, from the comfort of your own home. Now is a great time to make sure there are no cracked tiles on your roof, no loose boards on your veranda and to get any broken screens or windows replaced. Storm season can bring strong winds too. Look around your yard and tie down any loose bulky items that could take flight in a storm. Think trampolines and outdoor furniture. Look for any trees that may require some preseason tree lopping to prevent large branches crashing down onto your car or home during a storm. Use pre-storm season to batten down the hatches.
Prepare Your Home Emergency Kit
Every home should have an emergency kit in an easy to access place and it should be checked regularly to make sure nothing is missing or expired. An emergency kit can include things like, flashlights, extra batteries, a first aid kit, important documents, some food and water, important medications, spare house and car keys. How big or small you make it, is up to you and what you think you may need. Try to think of what you would need in an emergency, like power outages, floods, or evacuations. You can find great ideas on the Qld Government website, here.
Create an Emergency Plan
Just as important as an emergency kit, is an emergency plan. This is a written plan of what to do in case of emergency. It is ideal to have more than one, as different emergency situations will require different actions. When creating your plan, it’s important that all home dwellers be involved. Everyone should know the plan, and everyone should practice the plan – this is particularly important for children. An emergency plan should tackle any and all hazards that may strike in your geographical region. It should include phone numbers for emergency services, family, friends and neighbours, insurance agents and anyone else you may need to contact. Your plan should include important documents, like passports and medical cards, in case you need to grab them and leave your home quickly. Include meeting points in case you get separated. Be sure to discuss the plan with your family and review at least once a year. Keep your plan in your kit so you always know where to find it.
When it comes to summer storm season, being prepared is always best. Having a plan, a kit and securing your home is the responsibility of every home dweller. It’s not always ‘if’ an emergency will happen, but more likely ‘when’ an emergency will happen. These could be large like a flood or small like a power outage. Your house is more than just a home; keep it, and your family safe and be ready for summer storms!
Think your home may need some renovations to be more prepared? Contact us today!