Preparing for the Storms

The recent bout of storms has hopefully given us a glimpse of what the winter has in store – a refreshing saturated step out of the drought. But while we keep our fingers crossed and do a little rain dance, remember to take a few simple precautionary steps to make sure you’re not caught off guard by any severe storms.

Tree Care – Trim back any branches and limbs that could fall into your house, fence, driveway, or power lines. If the tree looks dead or unhealthy, consult an arborist, as they can fall easily in heavy winds and may need to be removed. It’s wise to prune back any thick trees, hedges, or bushes, to eliminate any potentially harmful debris.

Know Your Utilities & Appliances – Know how to shut off electricity, water, and gas, as well as light the pilot light on your water heater. Freezing is not uncommon, monitor and insulate outside pipes to keep lines from bursting.

Emergency Kits – Short of purchasing a generator, which is commonplace in some mountain communities, keep a kit stocked full of batteries, a battery pack, radio, lamps, water, and a corded landline phone. Keep flashlights and candles stashed nearby throughout the year, so you’re not digging around in drawers and pantries during an unexpected blackout.

Keep it Down – Along with rain comes high winds. Make sure all your patio furniture, garbage cans (particularly lids), and outdoor accessories and gear is packed up and securely tied down.