Whether it’s snow storms, flooding, hurricanes, wildfires, droughts or tornadoes, severe weather events are becoming increasingly common around the world. If you live in an area that is likely to be hit by one or more of these events, it’s vital that you and your family are adequately prepared. Unless you’re a survival specialist, it can difficult to know what to do in these situations, but preparing for them is surprisingly simple.
One of the ways to prepare for severe weather is ensuring your home is structurally sound and well-protected. For example, reinforcing your roof and securing outdoor furniture can reduce the damage from high winds. Moreover, you can also invest in custom window systems or impact resistant doors to provide an extra layer of security against storms.
In addition to these methods, here are a few other smart ways to prepare for a severe weather event in your home.
Do Your Homework
If you’re reading this article, you’re already one step towards preparing yourself for extreme weather. Read as much as you can about preparing for the specific event or events that may occur in your area. Official websites such as the Red Cross, as well as your government’s website, will have expert advice on exactly what practical steps you need to take to stay safe. Local and national news websites and channels will also feature information about weather alerts and the current advice of the government. If a severe weather event is imminent, keep checking these sources to find out if you need to evacuate. Always follow the advice of experts, even if you would rather not leave your home.
Stock Supplies
In your home, you should have at least one emergency kit, kept in a place that is easily accessible but also safe and dry. Your kit should feature items including emergency contact numbers, a torch with spare batteries, a radio with spare batteries, a first aid kit, three days’ water supply, non-perishable foods and essential medications. Everyone in your home should know where the emergency kit is and how to use it, including children. Depending on the specific weather event you are preparing for, you may need water purification tablets, a snow shovel, and possibly warm clothing.
Make a Plan
Sit down with your family and create a detailed plan of what you should do in the event of severe weather. Include where you should gather in the house, what to do if you are not at home, and create a list of actions that need to be taken. Avoid delegating these actions to specific people, in case they are not there when the severe weather hits. Either place your plan in your emergency kit, or tape it up somewhere visible, such as on the fridge or by the front door. Simply making a plan like this can make everyone feel much more prepared and relieve some of the anxiety you may have, and it will also reduce the chance of panic if severe weather does hit.
Have a Backup
When it comes to power, it is quite likely that there will be an outage in the event of extreme weather. Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and snow storms can easily take down power grids, so having a backup power source can be absolutely priceless. If you have a diesel generator and know how to use it properly in an emergency, you can provide your family with heating and lighting during a severe weather event. But it’s not the only option! Inverter generators, which are more compact and fuel-efficient than diesel models, can also serve as reliable alternatives. Generator Installation companies like Armstrong Specialties can further help you with the setup procedure, ensuring that you have a dependable power source ready when you need it most.
Protect Your Pets
When it comes to stocking up on supplies and making a plan, don’t forget about your pets. Having enough water and food for your pet is absolutely essential during a severe weather event, so be sure to include these in your emergency kit. When creating your plan, make finding and securing your pet a priority, as many animals can become distressed in severe weather conditions, causing them to flee. It’s essential that your pet is kept in the house and, if possible, in a pet carrier so that they are ready for evacuation if necessary. It is possible to train some animals, particularly dogs, on what they should do in the event of an emergency. If severe weather is more common in your area, consider training your pet to go inside during wet weather, or when they hear thunder.
Preparing for severe weather conditions is one of the best ways of dealing with them, so make sure that your family knows what to do if an extreme weather event hits. Reading up on what to do in a specific emergency is the first step towards staying safe, so make sure you follow expert advice and stock up on everything you might need in the event of severe weather conditions.
