Windy season safety tips to help secure your home
BRACE yourself; the windy season is not over yet! And apart from the possibility of serious damage to your home and property, heavy winds can also cause a severe influx of false alarms and be the start of veld fires. Wind damage is a major threat to a house. Mother Nature doesn’t play around, especially when summer rolls in. It’s important to protect your house from possible damage.
Stay cautious by securing your home with these windy season safety tips.
1. Know some of the weak spots.
There are a few parts of the house that may need some extra TLC when it comes to protecting your home from high winds. Think about your roof ( which often takes a beating), your windows, your doors, and even your garage door. Taking some time to reinforce these areas can help you protect your house.
Always ensure that all windows and doors are properly latched and secured to help prevent false alarms. Particularly strong winds blowing thick curtains or blinds inward may trigger a passive and set the alarm off unnecessarily.
2. Have your roof inspected.
Like we said, your roof is in the storm’s line of fire. It’s important to have your roof inspected by a trustworthy professional. That way you’ll know your house’s roof is up to code, there are enough nails per shingle, and all that good stuff. Make sure your roof is nice and sturdy. Assess the condition of your roof regularly to ensure the tiles are still secure and won’t go flying when the wind picks up, which could not only injure someone, but also creates a potential weak spot in your home security. Burglars often gain entry to homes through the roof and missing slate signals easy access.
3. Check out the gables and doors.
It’s also a good idea to make sure the gables of your roof is attached well and that they’re reinforced to the frame walls. ( The gables are the parts of the wall that encloses the end of the roof.) To strengthen the entryways of your home, consider solid wood doors or hollow metal doors. Make sure the doors have at least three hinges and deadbolts. This will help them stand up to the strong wind
Check that all shrubs and trees are cut back and won’t interfere with any outdoor beams, especially electric fencing as it’s hard to determine the exact hindrance source on large properties. Also have older, vulnerable trees felled or weak branches removed that can fall on your home during windy days.
For safety purposes fasten any outdoor furniture that can possibly be lifted by the wind. Have a look around your yard and keep any outdoor objects such as braai stands or sun umbrellas stored away so they won’t be able to cause damage to a person or your property. During a storm it becomes harder to discern noises coming from outside and criminals can use this to their advantage. Be extra vigilant during these conditions and never rush outside to check for damages if you hear a disturbance. On the same note, don’t disregard unfamiliar sounds as the wind and always contact your security company if you feel uncertain or unsafe.