Five Steps for Protecting Your Home from a Severe Weather Event

Severe weather outbreaks can be quite frightening, particularly given the amount of damage that is capable of bringing to your home and family. While there is nothing you can do to completely guarantee that your home will be safe during a severe weather event, there are several steps that you can take to help prevent damage. In fact, here are five simple steps you can take to ensure your home is better prepared for a severe weather event.

Step #1: Look Over Your Insurance Policy

The first thing you should do is look over your insurance policy to ensure you have enough coverage in place to cover any losses that you might experience from a severe weather event. In some cases, certain types of events may not be covered by your insurance policy and must be purchased separately. Examples of events that frequently are not covered by insurance include damage caused by earthquakes, flooding and hurricanes.

Step #2: Make a List

Next, you should make a list of your belongings so you can provide it to the insurance company if necessary. Even better, take pictures or make a video of your belongings to help you remember what you had while also providing proof of your belongings. You should also write down all of the serial numbers of your electronics so your items can be properly and fully identified when determining replacement value.

Step #3: Seal Doors and Windows

If your doors and windows are not properly sealed, wind and water will be able to get into your home more easily. Wind that funnels into your home can push upward and lift your roof, which will further allow heavy rains to cause damage. To prevent this, make sure your doors and windows are all sealed properly. For further protection, make a set of shutters out of ¾ inch marine plywood or metal storm panels. When installing the shutters, make sure they overlap your windows on all sides by four inches. Steel entry doors are a good option for ensuring your doors are properly protected in severe weather.

Step #4: Prepare the Roof

A properly sealed roof is also an important part of keeping your home protected from severe weather, so apply sealing around the chimney or vent pipes to prevent water from seeping in. It is also important to keep your gutters and downspouts clear so water can flow freely through. You should also hire a contractor to check your roof periodically to ensure it is in good shape.

Step #5: Stock Up

In the event of a severe weather incident, it is also important to be adequately stocked up on food and other supplies. This includes having items such as flashlights, batteries, a battery-operated radio and plastic sheeting to cover exposed areas readily available. Canned foods and other non-perishable items should also be in stock.

Hopefully, you will never experience an event that makes these preparations necessary. Nonetheless, taking these steps is an essential part of keeping your home protected in case an event does occur.

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