How to prepare yourself and your home for stormy weather

How to prepare yourself and your home for stormy weather

The arrival this week of Storm Darragh has proven that stormy weather can be unpredictable and often comes with a range of hazards, from heavy rain and strong winds to power outages and flooding. Being prepared can help you protect your home, ensure your safety and minimise damage. Here’s a useful and comprehensive guide to help you and your home weather the storm.

1. Stay informed

  • Monitor weather forecasts Stay updated with local weather reports and alerts. Use reliable sources such as the Met Office, local news channels and weather apps.
  • Sign up for alerts Register for emergency notifications in your area. These can be sent via text, email or through dedicated apps.
  • Plan an evacuation route If you live in an area prone to severe stormy weather, know the evacuation routes and have a plan in place. Practice the route with your family.

2. Secure your home

  • Inspect your roof Check for loose or damaged shingles and repair them. Ensure that gutters and downpipes are clear and functioning properly.
  • Trim trees and shrubs Remove dead or weak branches that could fall during strong winds. Trim trees to prevent them from damaging your property.
  • Secure outdoor items Bring in or secure outdoor furniture, decorations and other loose items that could become projectiles in high winds.
  • Reinforce windows and doors Install storm shutters or use plywood to cover windows. Ensure that doors, especially garage doors, are securely closed and locked.
  • Check the drainage system Ensure that your home’s drainage system is clear and functioning to prevent flooding.

3. Prepare an emergency kit

  • Essential supplies Include items like water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, first aid kits and medications.
  • Important documents Gather and store important documents such as insurance policies, identification and medical records in a waterproof container.
  • Communication devices Have a charged mobile phone, a portable charger and a battery-powered radio.
  • Warm clothing and blankets In case of power outages, keep warm clothing and blankets readily available.

4. Protect your home’s interior

  • Turn off utilities If advised by local authorities, turn off gas, water and electricity to prevent accidents.
  • Unplug electronics Unplug sensitive electronic devices to protect them from power surges.
  • Secure furniture Move heavy furniture away from windows to prevent damage from broken glass.
  • Waterproof valuables Place important belongings in plastic bags or containers to protect them from water damage.

5. Prepare Your Family

  • Communicate your plan Make sure all family members know the emergency plan, including where to go, what to do and who to contact.
  • Special needs Consider the needs of pets, elderly family members and those with disabilities. Ensure they have the necessary supplies and assistance.
  • Emergency contacts Compile a list of emergency contacts, including family, friends, neighbours and local emergency services.

6. During the storm

  • Stay indoors Avoid going outside during the storm. If you must go outside, wear appropriate protective clothing and be cautious of downed power lines and debris.
  • Stay informed Continue to monitor weather updates and follow any instructions from local authorities.
  • Use battery-powered devices If there’s a power outage, use battery-powered devices to stay informed and avoid carbon monoxide poisoning from generators.
  • Stay calm Keep a calm and reassuring demeanour to help manage stress and anxiety, especially for children and pets.

7. After the storm

  • Assess damage Once it is safe, carefully assess your home and property for any damage. Take photos for insurance claims.
  • Check utilities Inspect your gas, water and electrical systems for leaks or damage. If you detect any issues, contact the appropriate utility company.
  • Clean up Remove debris and fallen branches from your property. Be cautious of sharp objects and slippery surfaces.
  • Seek assistance: If you need help, contact local authorities or disaster relief organisations. They can provide resources and support.

8. Long-term preparedness

  • Regular maintenance Conduct regular maintenance on your home to ensure it is in good condition before the storm season.
  • Insurance review Review your insurance policy to ensure it covers storm damage. Understand your coverage and deductibles.
  • Emergency drills Practice emergency drills with your family to ensure everyone knows what to do when a storm hits.
  • Financial preparedness Set aside an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses related to storm damage and recovery.

Conclusion

Preparing for stormy weather is a crucial step in ensuring the safety and well-being of you and your family. By staying informed, securing your home and having an emergency plan in place, you can reduce the risks and manage the aftermath more effectively. Remember, safety comes first, and a little preparation can go a long way in protecting your home and loved ones.

Strengthen the shield of safety around your household

Strengthen the shield of safety around your household

Every family wants to feel safe and secure in their own home. But, unfortunately, the world we live in today isn’t as secure as it used to be. From natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes to man-made disasters such as terrorist attacks and cyber-crime, families must have a plan in place to protect themselves from any potential danger. Here are some useful tips on how you can strengthen the shield of safety around your household and keep your family safe.

Practice fire safety

In case of a fire emergency, practice an escape plan with your family, so everyone knows what to do. Install smoke detectors throughout the house and ensure they’re always properly functioning. Have a working fire extinguisher in an easily accessible location in the house and ensure that everyone is trained to use it. Ensure your family knows the phone number of their local fire station and knows any relevant emergency numbers they may need in the event of a fire.

Secure your home against intruders

Install security cameras to monitor your home and property. Make sure all external doors are fitted with strong deadbolts or security screens. Motion-activated security spotlights can also help deter would-be intruders and alert you to any activity on your property. Ensure that all house windows are secure and that any exterior lights near entry points are working properly at night so potential intruders cannot hide in the shadows.

Prepare for natural disasters

It’s important to be prepared for natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, fires, tornadoes, hurricanes etc. Have a plan outlining what steps should be taken if an emergency arises. Put together a disaster supply kit with enough food, water and medical supplies to last your family at least three days. Make sure you know where safe zones in your area are located and that you have a communication plan, so everyone knows how to stay in touch if separated during an emergency.

Be aware of cyber-crime

The internet can be used for good, but it can also be used for bad. Cyber-crime has become increasingly prevalent in recent years, and families need to take precautions to protect themselves from potential risks online. Install anti-virus software on all computers and ensure they are up-to-date with the latest security patches. Teach your children about the dangers of giving out personal information online, such as passwords, pin numbers or credit card details and make sure they understand the importance of being aware with whom they are communicating.

These are just a few steps families can take to help fortify their safety and security. Being prepared is the key to protecting yourself and your loved ones in times of danger, so make sure you’ve taken all necessary precautions to ensure your family remains safe and secure. By following these tips, you can provide peace of mind knowing that you’ve done everything possible to create a shield of safety to keep your home and family safe from harm.

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Preparing in case of flooding

Preparing in case of flooding | H is for Home

Flooding can be disastrous for properties and can lead to long-term problems for home-owners. The recent disruption in the UK from flooding proves the need for homes and businesses across the country to prepare for serious issues in case of future deluges. In the following, we’ll showcase the ways in which you can protect your property in case rainfall leads to destruction.

Find out if your home is at risk of flooding

Before buying or renting a new property you should find out if it is at risk of flooding. Once you know how high the risk is, you can decide if you’re willing to take it or if you’d prefer to move into a home that isn’t so susceptible. Whatever you choose, it’s important that you’re aware of the risks of flooding to your home so that you know how high the chances are of you having to evacuate.

Illustration of a house under an umbrella

Insure your property

Make sure that your home insurance policy has included flood protection so that, in the event of any flood damage, you’ll be covered and able to get things back to normal as quickly as possible. Use a price comparison site to explore the most cost effective solutions on the market and find the cover and price that’s right for you and your home.

Check your drains

To ensure that rainwater runs off your property and doesn’t lead to structural damage to your roof and exterior walls, make sure that your drains are working properly. If you do notice any problems, then you should work with a drainage specialist. You can find support in every area of the UK; for instance, if you’re based in the South East there’s Drain Detectives who’s available to answer your requests 24/7 which is perfect if there ever is an emergency. A company like this can clear any blockages and make sure that your drains work efficiently and will protect your property during heavy or prolonged rainfall.

Illustration of a window with a flower in a pot on the sill

Install quality windows and doors

When water gets to your property it will seep through any gaps, so make sure that your windows and doors are secure and don’t have any holes around the edges. Should you notice that the sealant around your windows is failing, or that your doors have shrunk in their frames, then work with a professional to ensure that the issue gets remedied and your home is secure if flood water were to arrive.

Raise your sockets and electrical outlets

Reduce the risk of electrical damage and injury should flood water enter your home by raising your electrical sockets and any outlets. This will mean that if only a small amount of water covers your floor, then your electrical outlets will be safe, and you’ll have less damage to deal with when you’re able to return to your property.

Illustration of a garden with a picket fence, flowers and tree

Use your garden to protect your home

Gardens can soak up a lot of rainwater and potentially help to ensure that your home stays safe in case of flooding, but only if they’re designed properly. Plant and lay out your garden to ensure that water is able to run away from your property and that plants and soil will soak up some of the excess water. This will not only help to prevent flooding in case of an emergency, but also reduce your garden’s chance of becoming waterlogged.

Remember flood prevention when you renovate

During any remodelling work, make sure that you consider how the changes you’re working on will be affected in case of flooding and how your refurbishments could potentially protect your home from damage caused by flooding. Communicate with your builder to work out how you can adapt your renovation work to include flood prevention measures.

Packed emergency bag of supplies

Ensure you know where everything is

In the event of an emergency you’ll need to switch off all power supplies and grab any vital paperwork and essential items, so make sure that you always know where everything is kept. Put all your paperwork in a specific place that’s easy to access just in case you need to grab it in a hurry. If you have dependants like children or pets, make sure their essential possessions are kept together and are easy for you to fetch if you need to relocate quickly and get your family to safety.

Get flood prevention solutions

Products such as sandbags can be used to absorb and dispel water from around your doorways, so in the event of severe flooding make sure that you have a ready supply of them. Use towels to block up toilets so that if lots of water does come into your home, it will be obstructed by the towels from coming up through your toilet.

Cartoon of man getting children prepared for an emergency

Make an emergency plan

Should the worst happen, and your home is hit by flooding, make sure that you have an emergency plan in place so that you and your loved ones know what to do and are as prepared as possible. Check government guidelines on what you need to do in case of a flood, and keep an eye on the social media accounts and websites of your local council and emergency services providers so that you can see any warnings as soon as they’re posted. This proactive approach will ensure that you’re ready to get everyone to safety in the case of serious flooding.

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5 things you need to do to get your life (and death) in order

5 things you need to do to get your life (and death) in order | H is for Home #law #legal #preparedness

Justin has developed a serious phobia about flying over recent years and I think it’s rubbed off on me somewhat. Moreover, it’s good to know that it can easily be overcome with self hypnosis because such anxieties are extremely excessive and irrational. Before I flew to Trinidad earlier this year (without Justin, I went with my dad) we thought it was a good time to finally get around to writing our wills. We’d put off doing it for years… for no reason in particular, just the usual ’round to it’ excuse. However, having just turned 50 – and with a 9-hour transatlantic flight on the horizon, the time seemed expedient.

Many people don’t want to think or talk about mortality and death; they find it gory, pessimistic, embarrassing or morbid. So, when we were approached by SunLife to write an article about funeral plans, we saw it as an opportunity to broach this sometimes uncomfortable subject with our readers. Here are some of the important steps to be taken to get your life (and death) in order.

Red siren illustration

In case of emergency

We’ve all heard the advice about always wearing clean underwear in case you get run over and need to be taken to hospital. But seriously, what if you do get run over or have some other medical emergency when you’re on your own?

I have a fairly new model iPhone where you can input ‘in case of emergency’ information. If you go to Settings→Emergency SOS you can insert the names & numbers of emergency contact people. You can also type in medical information such as any conditions you may have, medications you’re taking, any allergies, your blood type and whether you’re an organ donor.  Even if your phone has a passcode, this information will be accessible if someone taps the emergency button on the home screen.

Justin’s iPhone is an older model that doesn’t have Emergency SOS settings. However, there are a number of apps (most free) on iOS and Android that serve the same purpose.

Organ donation formcredit

Organ donation

From spring 2020, adults in England will need to opt out of organ donation. Prior to that though, you’ll need to register and let those nearest to you know of your wishes. I’ve chosen to be an organ donor. I signed up online and I carry a donor card in my purse. I’ve also told Justin and my parents that I’m registered.

Power of attorney typed out on paper in a typewriterNick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 ImageCreator

Power of attorney

Power of attorney is a legal written document given by one person or party to another authorising the latter to make decisions on behalf of and act for the former. There are currently two types that can be issued; ordinary and lasting power of attorney.

Ordinary is sufficient for occasions where you’ll be out of the country or in hospital for extended periods of time during which financial decisions may need to be made in your absence. Lasting will be needed in cases where there is dementia and other ongoing, permanent mental or physical incapacities.

Last will and testament papers

Will

You’re never too young to begin thinking about a will. Actually, that’s not true; you can legally make a will from the age of 18. If you draw one up at this age, there’s nothing stopping you updating it as you get older and your circumstances evolve and change. You want to ensure that your assets and your precious belongings (which includes beloved pets) are looked after and are passed to the people and institutions of your choosing.

There are a few different types of wills; single, mirror wills (for couples), trust wills, living wills. There’s a lot of information available online which will help you decide the best option for you. If you’re over 55, you can get free professional help during Free Wills Month (which is every March) to write or update your will.

Men in suits carrying a white coffin

Funeral plans

Do your loved ones know whether you want to be buried or cremated? Do they know if you want a church service? What about flowers or a cortège? You can create a document giving your clear instructions and requests about words to be read, music to be played, attire to be worn by you and the attendees and anything else you think is important.

Small desktop safe

And finally

Inform family members or your planned executor of where you’ve stored all your important documents and information. It’s essential to keep original copies of these together in a secure fire- & waterproof strong box or safe. Also to be included are financial papers such as bank statements, tax returns, ISAs, stocks & shares certificates, house and/or land deeds, birth certificate, adoption papers, marriage/civil partnership certificate, divorce decree absolute/civil partnership final order etc.

Have you done anything yet about life and death plans? Be willing to bring up the topic in conversation and also start preparing for any eventuality!