Tending to your home can be a daunting task in the aftermath of a powerful storm. No matter the season, severe weather in your area may affect your home. Ice storms, intense winds, monsoons, and hurricanes are all examples of potentially damaging natural incidents. If you experience one of these weather events, here are six tips for home care and recovery after a storm.
Check for Damages
The day after a storm, you should check for any external or internal damage to your home. Assessing the outcome of the weather should be a priority, but there can be many hazards following severe weather, so proceed with caution. Some damages to look for include:
- Holes in the roof
- Broken windows or doors
- Dented appliances
- Flooding or standing water
- Collapsed trees or branches
Be Aware of Electrical Problems
Severe weather can heavily impact the stability and safety of electrical systems in your home. As a precaution, stay away from any standing water—you never know when live wires can plague your property. Also, avoid downed power lines, as they are highly dangerous.
Examine Perishable Foods
Use caution when eating perishable foods if your community experiences a power outage. Your refrigerator may have turned off temporarily, which can spoil much of your food. While it is certainly a hassle for food to go to waste, it can be risky to consume your refrigerated items if they go for a period of time without proper cooling.
Use Flashlights Instead of Candles
Assessing damage in the dark can be tricky, so illuminate your home as best you can with battery-powered lighting. It would be better not to rely on a candle since open flames can cause house fires. And if you smell gas, vacate the premises and contact emergency services immediately, as you may have a leak in your home.
Avoid Drinking Tap Water
If you’re able and don’t already have drinking water, head to the grocery store and pick up disposable water bottles. Until you are sure that stormwater runoff has not contaminated your tap water, it is best to avoid drinking it.
Tend to Your Trees
You may have downed trees in your yard following a severe weather event. It is best to leave tree and branch cleanup to professionals, as it can be dangerous to attempt this work alone and without the proper gear.
After following these six tips for home care and recovery after a storm, contact your insurance company and preferred contractors. They will help make your property as good as new.
