Get Ready Month - Day #14: Outdoor Precautions
Posted on | May 16, 2007 |
Making small improvements to your home now can help minimize the damage later.
Here are some quick outdoor home improvements you can do over a weekend to protect your home and its contents (for indoor tips see Day #13):
1. Make a list of the items that need to be brought in the event of a storm.
- This will help you remember things that may be broken or blown away in strong winds (patio furniture, lawn ornaments, bikes, doghouse, trash cans, etc).
- Keep the list in your Home Disaster Preparedness Kit, along with WHN Be Prepared and Help Center tips, or by emergency phone #s.
2. Make sure your house number is visible from the street — emergency personnel will need to find your house in a hurry.
- Some cities offer a program to paint your house number on the curb for a small fee. Ask your city or county administration officials about this option.
- The best place for your house number on your house is near the front door, at or slightly above eye level and lit by a light.
- When you drive home at nighttime, check to see if your house number is clearly visible. Consider moving the number or adding additional lighting if necessary.
- Make sure your mailbox number faces the traffic side of the street.
3. Clean and maintain storm drains and gutters. Removing debris from your property allows the free flow of potential flood water.
4. Add waterproof veneer to exterior walls and seal all openings, including doors. This will help prevent water entry.
5. Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs, then strategically removing branches so that wind can blow through.
WHN TIP: Some insurance companies might offer discounts if you install disaster-resistant items or make home improvements (shatter-proof windows, shutters, earthquake proofing, roofing reinforcements, etc.). Ask about which items might help you save on your premiums.
Next Steps
1. Install backflow valves or plugs in drains, toilets, and other sewer connections. This will help prevent floodwaters from entering home.
2. Protect your windows.
- Permanent shutters are the best protection.
- Close windows and pull blinds and drapes.
- Reinforce glass windows and doors by installing impact-resistant laminated glass window or door systems or applying high-strength window security films to standard window and patio door glass.
3. Consider retrofitting your garage door with horizontal bracings.
- Check with your local building supplies retailer to see if a retrofit kit is available. High winds often damage garage doors.
4. Read our other Be Prepared sections to prepare for specific weather-related events and fires.
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