Help Your Family Be Prepared Before Severe Weather Strikes | SERVPRO® of Cedar Mill/Oak Hills

2/24/2020 (Permalink)

If your home has sustained damage due to a storm or severe weather, you can count on us to help.

When severe weather is in the forecast, it can be alarming for a family. Making sure everyone is prepared, safe and calm is important, but knowing how to achieve that can sometimes be another story. 

Thankfully, preparing in advance for severe weather is fairly simple and can provide ample peace of mind for you and your family members in the event of a storm.

Preparations for Incoming Severe Weather

 Create a Practical (and Fun) Emergency Kit

 Unless officials give a clear evacuation order, in the event of severe weather, staying safely inside your home is advised. Therefore, it is important to make sure your family has everything you need in the event of an emergency scenario—enough water for each person (one gallon, per person, per day), shelf-stable food, first-aid supplies in case of any injuries, flashlights and an emergency radio are great items to start with. Additionally, be sure to have items handy to keep everyone entertained, such as board games, cards and other activities that do not require electricity.

Have a Plan for a Power Outage

At best, a power outage is an inconvenience, but at worst, it can severely impact your family’s life. Many people choose to purchase an emergency generator, which can be helpful to keep

the essentials such as the refrigerator and fans running in the home. Regardless of whether you would like to purchase a generator or invest in candles and flashlights, it is important to have a plan in place for how to handle a power outage to minimize inconvenience and keep your family safe.

Understand the Dangers of Lightning and Power Surges

Lightning can cause extreme damage to homes, altering the electricity and increasing the chances of fire. Lightning can also lead to harmful power surges, which can ruin plugged-in electronics and lead to dangerous sparks. If severe weather is on the way, unplugging the electronics throughout the house can minimize the impact of a lightning strike on the home.