7 Safety Tips to Help Protect Your Home and Vehicle from an Approaching Storm

As a naturally occurring weather event, storms are unavoidable, and heavy rain, lightning, intense winds and hail all have the potential to cause devastating damage.

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.