Australian storms can come in all types and severity, and when you least expect it.
Whether it’s a hailstorm, a flash flood or a thunderstorm, storms can be unpredictable, causing potential harm to people and damage to homes and businesses. They can also disrupt power, communication systems and local amenities like running water.
That’s why it’s important to be prepared to help keep yourself and your family safe while helping to minimise damage to your property.
O'Brien® has been part of the Australian community for almost 100 years, so our teams have seen firsthand the impact of storms on our vast country.
So we’ve put together a useful checklist to help you be prepared in advance in case a storm hits.
Here are 10 things you can do around your home before a severe weather event. These tips can help you and your family be better equipped to handle any challenges that may arise.
10 things to do around your home to be storm-ready
- Check your roof regularly for loose or missing tiles and repair any roof damage as soon as you notice it. This can help you avoid or minimise potential water leaks in heavy rain conditions.
- Check and clean out your gutters and downpipes to ensure there is proper drainage during a storm. This will prevent overflowing, damage to guttering and backwash that can pool water in places that could cause lingering moisture and water damage.
For help with the cleaning and repair of your gutters, or maintaining your roof, your local O'Brien Plumbing experts can assist.
- Clean up garden debris like branches and secure any loose objects in your yard, such as outdoor furniture, trampolines, or garden decorations, so they don’t become projectiles in high winds.
- Check your windows and doors for proper sealing and 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 correct type of safety glass around your home as well.
Your local O'Brien Glass® experts can are on hand for replacement and advice for glass around your home.
- Examine your home for any potential electrical hazards that could occur. Ensuring you have a safety switch installed and maintained on your switchboard and installing a residual-current circuit breaker with over-current protection (RCBO) that guards against accidental electrocution by monitoring the current travelling to and from an electrical load.
Your local O'Brien Electrical experts can perform thorough checks and installations of switchboard & safety switches.
- Check if your home and contents insurance is up to date and know what you are covered for if it comes to claims with a flood or storm. Take the time to talk to your insurance provider to understand what additional cover may be available so you can consider additional options if you think you need it.
- Stock up on non-perishable food, water, and other supplies in case you are without power or are isolated for more than a few days. We’ve recently seen how many Australian towns have been affected by prolonged flood waters – so it’s best to be prepared.
- Charge your mobile phone, power banks and other electronic devices in case of a power outage, so you can contact loved ones or your local O'Brien expert (to glass, plumbing or electrical help)
- Have an evacuation plan in place beforehand and talk through it with your family and friends, so if the time comes you know what to do and can act quickly.
- Have an emergency kit ready, just in case, with essential items such as a torch, first aid kit, and batteries.
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.
Keep a close eye and ear on the weather and predicted forecast to help your household be as prepared as can be should a storm hit. 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, whether it be for electrical or plumbing work or glass repairs – contact your local O'Brien® team today.
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.
