Spring Cleaning To Be Better Prepared

You’re clearing out the clutter, giving the house a deep clean, and sprucing up the yard. If you live in an area that is prone to severe weather or other natural disasters, consider taking your spring cleaning one step further by adding in a few extra tasks that will help you and your family be better prepared for the unexpected this year.

Your Emergency Preparedness Kit

If you don’t have an emergency kit, now is a good time to put one together. You can get information on what to include in the kit from an organization like the American Red Cross.

If you already have a kit, it’s a good idea to spring clean the kit’s supplies. Check the expiration dates of any water or food in your kit. Determine if you need to refresh or replace batteries, personal hygiene items or medications.

In Hurricane Prone Areas

Consider adding special hurricane shutters or other types of permanent protection for your windows and doors.

Assess the trees and other vegetation in your yard. Weakened tree limbs can easily come down and shrubs can blow around in a hurricane causing damage, knocking down utility lines and blocking roads. Trim trees and shrubs to help minimize damage.

Designate a place where you can easily and quickly store outdoor furniture and other yard objects that can turn into flying debris in high winds.

Where Wildfires are a Threat

Create what’s known a “defensible space” around your home, an area that would limit a fire’s ability to reach your house. Clean and remove dead vegetation and other debris from gutters and in a 30-foot circle around your home.

If you keep plants or other vegetation around your home, consider low-growing varieties and make sure to keep them watered and well maintained. Use noncombustible mulches such as rocks or gravel instead of wood or bark mulch.

Clear out any vegetation, stacked wood or other materials being stored under your deck. Make sure you have a place to store flammable deck items – such as furniture and the gas tank for your grill – either inside the house or as far away as possible.

Where Earthquakes Are Possible

Look around your home or apartment with an eye towards what items could easily fall during an earthquake, causing injury or damage. Consider fastening some items securely to the walls, including book cases, pictures, mirrors, electronics (flat screen televisions) and even appliances.

Within bookcases and cabinets, place heavier items on the lower shelves to reduce the possibility of tipping. Use museum wax or heavy duty Velcro to affix decorative items like vases or picture frames to the shelves.

Need more tips? You can find more information on how to be better prepared for severe weather and other natural disasters by visiting federal government web sites such as emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/ and www.fema.gov.