Storm season is on its way, making this the ideal time to prepare your home against risk of damage.
The first piece of advice to prepare for storm season is to have your local emergency service contact details at hand.The Stormwise website contains storm safety tips and resources to help you prepare as well as practical advice based on the first-hand experiences of SES volunteers.
Here are a few of the tips they provide.
To prepare your home:
- Trim trees and branches close to your house
- Secure loose items in your backyard
- Clear gutters, downpipes and drains. Even if you have cleared gutters recently, they quickly fill up with leaves and debris, especially after a downpour. On average you should check they are clear every couple of weeks.
- Get your roof checked for damage or corrosion
- Make sure all shades, sails and awnings are properly fitted
- Get your insurance up-to-date
- If you don’t already know your neighbours, go and introduce yourself. They might need a hand getting storm ready. Plus, when bad weather strikes it’s important to be able to tell the SES who lives nearby
- Ask the council or energy company to check trees on your street that may pose a threat to your property or powerlines.
- Make sure everyone in your household knows what to do in severe weather. For tips on developing a house emergency plan use the SES guide at www.disaster.qld.gov.au
Stay safe while driving
- Always follow flood warning signs
- Never drive through flood water
- Shelter vehicles under cover, not under trees
- Avoid driving when a storm is coming
- Get your insurance up-to-date
For more advice, go to www.stormwise.com.au
For emergency service contact details, click here
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