Having been a part of the Australian community for nearly 100 years, the O’Brien® team has seen our fair share of storms – and we’ve also helped thousands of Australian households prepare for storms (as well as clean-up after them). So, from our first-hand experience, we’ve put together a handy storm preparation checklist for you.

Being prepared for natural disasters such as storms isn’t just a precautionary measure. It’s a way to help keep your loved ones as well as your property safe, especially since Australian storms come in all types and severity.

Here are 8 things that you can do to prepare your home and your family in the event of a storm.

8 things you need to do around the home to be storm-ready

1. Stay informed and updated.

Forewarned is forearmed. So, whenever there’s a storm warning, keep a close eye on weather forecasts. If possible, get real-time alerts and warnings about approaching storms from reliable news sources so you’re always alert.

2. Create a family emergency plan.

Discuss evacuation routes, safe areas within your home, and contact information for nearby shelters or emergency services with your family.

This way, when the time comes, everyone will know what to do and can act quickly.

3. Build an emergency kit and stock up on your essentials.

You can also pack a storm emergency kit with all the essentials:

• non-perishable food
• clean water
• medications
• a first aid kit
• a torch
• batteries
• power banks

Ideally, an emergency kit should have enough supplies for at least a week.

4. Secure your surroundings.

While it’s still safe, clean up garden debris and secure loose objects in your yard so they don’t become projectiles during high winds. This includes outdoor furniture, trampolines or garden decorations. If flooding is a concern, you can use sandbags to prevent water from entering the vicinity of your home.

5. Inspect your doors and windows.

Look into all entry and exit points around your home such as windows and doors check for proper sealing. Get any previously broken panes of glass repaired so that they’re in good working order. It is worth checking to make sure you have the right type of safety glass around your home as well.

Your local O’Brien Glass experts can work on the replacement and provide expert advice for ensuring the glass around your home is safe for extreme weather.

6. Check your roof and gutters.

Check your roof regularly for loose or missing tiles and repair roof damage as soon as you notice it. Cleaning out gutters and downpipes will also ensure proper drainage in case of heavy rainfall. This can help you avoid or minimise potential water leaks and water damage during a storm.

If you need help with the cleaning and repair of your gutters or maintaining your roof, your local O'Brien Plumbing experts can assist.

7. Examine potential electric hazards.

Faulty power lines, lightning and water are a concerning combination that could pose risks to your home and your family. So, it helps to have a safety switch installed and maintained on your switchboard. A residual-current circuit breaker with over-current protection (RCBO) also guards against accidental electrocution by monitoring the current travelling to and from an electrical load.

If you need help with the installation of switchboard and safety switches, your local O'Brien Electrical experts can assist.

8. Review your insurance coverage.

Take the time to talk to your insurance provider and make sure your coverage adequately protects against storm and flood damage, especially if you live in a flood-prone area. Knowing that you have the right coverage gives you one less thing to worry about when the storm hits.

Stay safe and dry with help from O’Brien®

It’s always a smart idea to be prepared in advance for storms, and hopefully, this checklist is a good starting point for you.

Always remember, if you need any repairs around the home before or after a weather event – whether it be for electrical or plumbing work or glass repairs – just reach out to your local O’Brien^® team.

For more information about our services, call us on 1800 719 738 or send us a message to speak with one of our friendly staff.

We’re here to keep you safe and dry.

The post Storm Preparation Checklist: 8 Things To Do To Prepare For A Storm appeared first on O'Brien.

Fortunately, severe storms typically come with a warning, giving us time to plan ahead so we can protect our family, our homes and our vehicles.

To help you stay proactive, we’ve put together a list of quick tips you can use to ensure you’re prepared for any dangerous storms that may come your way.

7 ways to protect your home and vehicle from an oncoming storm

Of course, your top priority during a storm is always the safety of yourself and your family. However, it’s still important to look after your home and vehicles as much as possible as well, as severe weather has the potential to lead to costly destruction of property.

So here are some things you can do to help protect your vehicle and home:

1. Stay up to date with the latest forecast.

While we can see them coming on the radar, storms are still unpredictable. It’s best to stay updated to help maximise your preparation time. The weather forecast will keep you posted on a storm’s movement and strength, and news reports will also let you know about any flood-prone roads or other areas to avoid, as well as if it’s necessary to evacuate.

Remember: keeping updated with the latest information can help save lives in hazardous weather conditions.

2. Store or secure any outdoor items or equipment that could become a projectile.

Store all gardening tools, outdoor furniture, sports equipment, pot plants and so on, indoors to ensure that powerful winds don’t turn these otherwise harmless objects into dangerous flying projectiles that could cause considerable damage to glass windows, doors and car windscreens.

3. Trim or cut down hazardous trees and branches around your home.

During a severe storm, tree branches can snap, and entire trees can become uprooted. Regular trimming could help to limit falling branches so they don’t end up potentially causing damage to your home, vehicles, or any members of your family.

4. Check around your home for any needed repairs.

The best way to protect your home and everyone inside is to ensure that all parts of it are in good condition. Check for cracks, loose panels, broken windows, damaged roof tiles, etc. It’s also a good idea to clean your gutters regularly and check for leaks anywhere that water might get in.

At O'Brien^®, we have a team of local experts who can provide glazing, electrical, plumbing and roofing services to address any issues your home may have before the next big storm. Visit our location pages to see what O'Brien^® services are in your area.

5. Park your car in a safe spot.

If you don’t have a garage, look for areas with temporary covered parking or make sure that wherever you park, your vehicle won’t get caught in the event of a flood such as a parking place on a road that is up a hill

As an added measure, you can also cover your windscreen with thick blankets, in an effort to help protect your car in a pinch.

6. Remove any non-essential items and secure loose objects around your vehicle.

Detach any magnetic signs, removable aftermarket add-ons such as flags and other exterior car accessories when preparing for a storm. This is to ensure these items don’t become fast-moving objects in strong winds.

7. Don’t forget your routine car maintenance.

In the event of a severe storm, you may need to evacuate, meaning you’ll need to ensure that your car is ready to get you and your family to safety.

Regularly check your tyres, your oil and your battery, as well as your windscreen for chips and cracks. When you know there’s a storm coming, make sure your fuel tank is full and ready to go.

If you do need windscreen repairs, you can rely on your local experts at O'Brien^® to repair or replace your broken glass and get you back on the road fast.

While severe storms can cause stress and discomfort, a bit of forward planning and preparation can help you to protect your home, your vehicles, and most importantly – the lives of you and your loved ones.

Take your storm safety to the next level with O'Brien^®

At O'Brien^®, we are always ready to deliver vehicle glass, glazing, electrical and plumbing services to your home or business.

Contact us today and we can help you prepare and protect your home and vehicle against severe weather and storms this summer.

For more information about our services, call us on 1800 059 829 , or send us a message to speak with one of our friendly staff.

The post 7 Safety Tips to Help Protect Your Home and Vehicle from an Approaching Storm appeared first on O'Brien.