When a home emergency occurs, it can be a very stressful and overwhelming experience. From flooding and fires to power outages and natural disasters, emergencies can happen at any time and often without warning. Knowing how to react quickly and appropriately can make all the difference in minimizing damage, ensuring safety, and ultimately, getting back to normal life as soon as possible. Meet Practical Home, your new go-to company that puts the fun in functional, is making home safety cool, and offers fresh takes on design solutions.
In our new HGTV show Renovation 911 (catch us on your TV’s every Tuesday evening at 9/8c!), we help individuals and families who have recently experienced a devastating home disaster. Everything from dealing with insurance to giving spaces an updated look, while—most importantly—teaching others how to prevent these problems or disasters in the future, that’s our expertise! Today, we’re talking all about what to do in a severe storm warning. These can be scary, but with a plan in place, you can feel more secure and confident with your decision making.
Prevention Tip: Before a Severe Storm Warning
If you have trees around your house, we recommend having an arborist come and look at them to assess any potential hazards or risks of falling branches or trees during a future storm. They can identify any weak spots, disease, or structural issues that may pose a threat. They may also recommend pruning, trimming or even removal of trees that could pose a danger.
Additionally, we recommend clearing your gutters, downspouts, and drains of any debris that could block water flow and cause flooding. You can reinforce doors and windows, secure outdoor furniture, and consider investing in a generator or backup power source to keep essentials like refrigerators and medical equipment running in case of a power outage. Of course, these are actionable steps to take before any sort of storm warning, so choose a date and add it to your calendar now!
Have a Family Emergency Plan
Oftentimes overlooked, this is one of our top recommendations that every home should have! Keep an eye out, these emergency plans might just be available on Practical Home very soon. Having a family emergency plan is crucial for many reasons. First, it helps ensure the safety and well-being of everyone in your household in the event of an unexpected event. With a plan in place, you'll be prepared to act quickly and make informed decisions, potentially minimizing the risk of injury or harm. A family emergency plan can help reduce panic and stress during an emergency situation, as everyone in the household knows exactly what to do and where to go. It can also help you stay in touch with each other and emergency services, which can be critical in getting the help you need when you need it most. We recommend going over and practicing your family emergency plan at least twice a year with everyone in your household. As a starter, here are a few things that should be included in an emergency family plan:
- Emergency contact phone numbers
- An evacuation plan with different routes
- Designated rooms in the home for shelter in place
- Where to locate your family’s emergency kit
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Stay Informed
We recommend listening to the latest updates from local authorities and media outlets to stay as informed and up-to-date as possible! Whether that’s news from the TV or following a trusted and verified social media source, be in the know.
Seek Shelter
If you're advised to seek shelter, head to the safest part of your home, such as a basement, storm cellar or an interior room on the lowest level of your house. Again, stay informed by local authorities and listen to their recommendations in order to stay safe.
All in all, you should stay alert and aware during the entirety of a severe storm warning. Pay attention to updates, update your loved ones, and be prepared to take additional action if necessary. If things go awry, call 911 for major emergencies and stay calm.
