Preparing for a tornado is important. You need to be sure that you are prepared for extreme weather before it hits. Losing your home and everything you own doesn’t have to be your reality if you are prepared in advance for this kind of challenging weather.
A tornado-proof house is a reality for those who make plans in advance. These tips will help you to prevent damage to your property if you should fall prey to a tornado. Planning in advance is an ideal way to ensure that you are ready to keep your home protected from tough weather annually.
Preparing Your Home for a Tornado
No matter how much you have prepared your home for a tornado, you still need to make sure that you yourself are safe. If you have a basement or a storm shelter, you should make sure to get into it as soon as possible. You should also make sure that you have food and water in your safe place in case you are trapped for a period of time.
Making sure to think of your own safety, as well as the safety of your home is critical. Many people falsely believe that they can stay inside their homes during a tornado, but this is rarely the recommended option for this kind of weather. No matter how much you prepare for a tornado, your house could still be lifted off the foundation and destroyed if it is right in the path of the storm.
1. Maintain Trees and Shrubs
So often, the damage that happens to homes during tough stormy weather is from the landscaping around the house. Tree limbs fall through the roof, branches break windows, and paint is damaged by whipped shrubs. You can prevent all of this damage from happening during a storm by keeping your yard in good condition, trimming trees and shrubs, and picking up debris that might cause damage to your home in high winds.
2. Landscape Thoughtfully
One of the other things that people don’t think about when landscaping that can come back to bite them during a tornado, are the items that are used for landscaping the property. Rocks, gravel, heavy items that are not secured, and things like swings and playsets that are not tied down can all lead to broken windows and damage to your home.
Make sure that you consider this aspect of your home’s tornado-proofing before you add items to your landscaping that are almost certain to damage your property if there are gale-force winds. Even a small pebble can shatter a window in a high wind.
3. Check Gutters and Downspouts
Water damage is often a major issue after a tornado or stormy weather. You will want to be sure that your home is protected from flooding and other issues that can undermine your foundation, lead to black mold, and cause issues with the strength and durability of your home’s walls. Gutters and downspouts are common weak points in your home’s weather protection system that should be assessed each year.
You will want to be sure that your gutters aren’t clogged and that they are properly connected to the downspouts that take water to the storm or sewer system. Overflowing or blocked gutters can also cause standing water on your roof, which can lead to major issues during tough weather.
4. Have a Plan for Utilities
When challenging weather is a factor in your life, you need to be sure that you know how to turn off the gas and the water to your home. Broken utility lines can lead to all kinds of secondary problems that can make your home uninhabitable during tough weather. Long-term damage from water leaks is one thing that you will be preventing from happening if your turn off your utilities. You can also prevent a gas explosion by making sure that your gas isn’t flowing to the home when the weather is at its worst.
5. Check on Roof Condition
Roofs can be very fragile when they are not maintained correctly. Make sure that your roof isn’t going anywhere in a storm by having it inspected on a regular basis. Make sure that your shingles are secure and that there aren’t any issues that can lead to structural problems. If you get tough winds in your part of the world, you will want to be certain that your roof doesn’t literally blow off your home during a tornado.
6. Protect Weak Areas
Things like your AC unit and the garage doors can be damaged by stormy weather unless they are protected. There are a variety of ways to keep these kinds of weak spots from being damaged during a tornado. You will also want to be sure that you have a plan for your windows, whether you add storm shutters or you intend to board up your windows during the tornado.
Protecting weak areas is key so that your home is much more likely to survive this kind of weather unscathed. You cannot afford to cut corners when it comes to the protection of your property, and this bit of advance planning might make all the difference when it comes to your home surviving a tornado event.
Preparation is Important for Those Who Live Where There is a Risk of Tornados
If you live where tornadoes are common, these tips will help you to prevent expensive losses on your property as well as harm to your family during tornado season. Always remember that being prepared is much better than rushing around and hoping for the best when a tornado arrives. Having a complete system for your tornado preparation can help you and your loved ones to stay safe and have a home to come back to once the storm has passed.
Remember that there are many more ways that you can take action than the items on this short list. Taking all the possible precautions to make sure that your home has the best chance of surviving this kind of weather event is always wise.
<p>The post 6 Ways You Can Prepare Your Home for a Tornado first appeared on CCR-Mag.com.</p>
