Weather Preparedness for Your Home

Severe weather doesn’t always give us enough time to prepare. It’s wise to consider how wind, hail, tornadoes, and lightning may affect your home and property here in Missouri. Having the right home insurance is important for preparing for unexpected weather events. Once your insurance is in place, consider taking steps to get ready for potentially unpleasant weather so you can be as prepared and safe as possible.

Prepare Your Home
When the forecast includes severe weather, minimizing damage to your home and property is essential. Well before bad weather arrives, it’s crucial to check your roof and landscaping. Loose shingles and overhanging branches can cause major damage in the event of severe weather. snow covered park

Of course, you and your family are most important, so never risk your safety. Here are some ways to minimize a storm’s negative impacts if you have time:

Move cars into the garage if possible
Put away lightweight outdoor furniture and accessories that could blow away or cause damage during a windstorm
If you have animals that live outside, make sure they have food, water, and adequate shelter
Move valuable items inside
Roll up retractable awnings and outdoor umbrellas

Lower garage doors and secure other outside doors

Plan For the Future
While it’s impossible to be prepared for every weather-related emergency scenario, there are a few things you can do to get ready for severe weather.

Check the forecast regularly so you can make a short-term plan when bad weather is imminent
Sign up for notifications from your preferred weather service

Choose a safe place within your home, such as a storm cellar, basement, or interior room on the lowest floor so family members know where to go in the event of severe weather
Create a plan that includes a family emergency meeting place both outside and inside your home

Make an Emergency Kit
Having some basic supplies within easy reach of the safest place on your property makes retreating during a storm safer and more comfortable. Families with children may need to change the contents of their emergency kits a few times each year.

Plan to gather at least three days’ worth of supplies, including:

At least one gallon of water per person per day
Non-perishable food
Flashlights and extra batteries
Solar-powered phone charger
First-aid kit that includes every family member’s medication

Dust masks for each person
Comfort items, books, and games for young children
Bucket with a tight-fitting lid for waste
Local maps
Hand sanitizer

Specific items required by babies and toddlers (diapers, wipes, bottles, powdered milk, fever-reducing medication, formula, etc.)
Extra clothing, including a complete change of seasonally-appropriate clothing for each family member
Blankets and pillows

Weather is unpredictable, especially in places that get the full four-season experience. Having the right types and amounts of homeowners insurance is a great way to protect the financial investment you’ve made in your home. Contact Fusion Insurance in Kansas City, MO, today to review your coverage and make sure you have the policies you need most.

Weather Preparedness for Your Home

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