April showers may bring May flowers but they can also bring a whole lot of havoc to your property. How can you prepare? We’ll give you tips and strategies to protect your home and property from severe weather this spring.
What you can do now
- Establish escape routes from your house
- Pick an outside meeting spot all members of the family will remember
- Make and attach pet ID tags
- Learn how to disable utilities and use a fire extinguisher
- Create an emergency supply kit
- Purchase home/flood insurance; inventory everything in your home for claim purposes and keep it in a safe place
- Fix old or loose shingles and waterproof your basement, windows, doors
- Clear gutters and prune branches and shrubbery away from your home
- Have a plan in place to quickly bring valuables indoors
What you can do during severe weather
- Stay inside your home and preferably away from windows that could potentially shatter and cause you harm.
- Securely close and/or lock all doors and windows
- Refrain from using utilities and wired electrical equipment
- Check for weather updates via local authorities in case an evacuation is recommended.
- Don’t walk or drive through floodwater. As little as two feet is all it takes to sweep vehicles away.
What you can do after
- Check that all family members are accounted for and do not require medical attention
- Check your home and property for signs of damage
- Call local authorities if you suspect damage to utilities before turning them back on
- Do you have flooding? Avoid contact. Floodwater can be contaminated.
Call a professional damage restoration company
Need a hand? ServiceMaster is a professional damage restoration company with proven experience to handle flood repair, mold removal, and other disaster related services of any severity. Call us today to inquire how we can help you get back to normalcy.