Australia is blessed with some of the most beautiful weather in the world, but at times it can also be unpredictable and destructive, frequently causing widespread damage. With summer now here, it’s time to start preparing for the upcoming storm season and cyclone season. As extreme weather events become more frequent and more devastating, it’s crucial to ensure you and your home are prepared to withstand extreme conditions. Here are some tips to make sure you are ready for when wild weather or a storm arrives: PLAN FOR EMERGENCIES Having an emergency plan is essential to ensure your family is ready to respond if the weather presents a dangerous situation and quick action is required. Here are some key preparation points: Make sure your pantry is stocked with non-perishable food items, along with fresh drinking water; A well-stocked first-aid kit, plus essential medications for those in your household, can be crucial in the event of an accident or medical emergency. Check your first aid kit is up to date with this checklist; Prepare a list of emergency contacts, including SES (132 500) and Triple Zero (000); Check to ensure your insurance policies are current and provide adequate cover; Have torches and batteries readily accessible and charged in the event of a power outage; Develop an evacuation strategy that all members of the family are aware of. CLEAN UP YOUR HOUSE AND YARD Several small jobs can be done around the home to prepare for storm season, including: Trim tree branches, so they are well clear of your home. If the branches are near power lines, call in a professional to do this safely; Tidy up unsecured items like pool umbrellas, kids’ toys, outdoor furniture and dead tree branches; Make repairs to damaged fences, roofs and gutters; Clear leaves and other debris from gutters, downpipes and stormwater drains; Store any chemicals or poisons above ground level in case of flooding. SAFEGUARD YOUR HOME With high-speed gusts of wind, loose items like outdoor furniture and tree branches can become airborne and cause damage to the outside of your home. Worse yet, these wind forced projectiles could harm your loved ones. Crimsafe Cyclone Debris Screens are specially designed to protect against flying debris from wind gusts up to 392 km/h and can withstand an impact up to 44 m/s. Passing the highest standard for Cyclone Debris Screening, our screens are suitable for use in Cyclone Regions C and D and protect against damage from hail, reducing the risk of large hailstones breaking through windows. BEFORE A STORM Before a storm approaches, you should always make sure you: Tie-down or store away any outdoor furniture or loose items; Move vehicles undercover and secure trailers and boats in a safe anchorage; Tape your windows in an X pattern with strong packing tape to reduce the chance of windows breaking during high winds; Bring your pets and unsecured items inside; Unplug all appliances, turn off your electricity, gas and water (in a cyclone). If you are evacuating, lock all doors and windows securely, and make sure you get an emergency kit to be ready for storms and emergencies. From the front door to your windows, Crimsafe’s leading security screens are the strongest in the industry. For more information on Crimsafe, check out our product range and be prepared for your next storm season.
