Protect your property before autumn storms and harsh weather arrive

As the effects of climate change intensify, severe and unpredictable weather is unfortunately becoming the norm. While we can't control the weather, we have full control over how well we prepare our homes for a storm to minimize damage and ensure family safety.

Preparation means more than just last-minute efforts; it involves incorporating safety-boosting factors into the very design and maintenance of our homes – sometimes quite literally, from the foundation up.

But don't worry if your house isn't fully prepared yet. This guide provides proactive home safety tips designed to protect your home from storms, floods, and other serious weather events this season. Don't wait until the forecast warns you – taking small, smart steps now can prevent stress and costly damage later. Follow these recommendations to stay calm through sunny days and rough storms.

Before diving into concrete home safety tips, it’s a good idea to go through a checklist of timely home maintenance tips to prevent storm damage. It’s easy to get caught up in our daily work and life responsibilities and barely notice the seasons change outside. But season-proofing your house is actually the first autumn storm prevention tip that lays the groundwork for all the others.

To make sure your house is ready for whatever autumn brings your way, simply go through this short seasonal maintenance checklist and tick the actions you have recently taken for the well-being of your home.

Protecting your home from storms goes beyond just safeguarding the building itself – it’s about keeping your family, belongings, and everyday life secure. The following home safety tips highlight practical ways to prepare in advance, helping you reduce risks and recover more smoothly after severe weather.

Electrical defense: surges, outages, and lightning protection

When a severe storm hits, your home electronics and essential systems like your furnace are at risk from two main threats: power surges and power outages. Surge protectors are a simple defense, acting as a buffer that absorbs sudden, dangerous spikes in voltage – often caused by lightning or grid faults – before the energy reaches and fries your valuable devices.

For critical electronics, like computers or advanced heating controls, a Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) unit goes further; it contains a battery that instantly kicks in during a complete outage, giving you a few minutes to safely shut down equipment, preventing data loss or system errors.

Hopefully, your home is already equipped with a full lightning protection system. This system uses external conductors and grounding rods to safely channel a lightning strike's massive electrical energy directly into the earth, eliminating the risk of structural damage.

Safe storage: Moving and protecting your belongings

In last-minute emergencies, the golden rule is to save yourself and your loved ones and leave all belongings behind, no matter how valuable. However, by preparing and weather-proofing your home well in advance, you have the chance to secure your possessions as safely as possible, potentially saving them from rough weather. This can be a life-changing home safety tip, especially if you live in a flood-prone area or have a basement apartment.

If possible, move valuable equipment, documents, or electronics to higher levels of the house. For other crucial smaller items, use specialized waterproof and fireproof boxes. These boxes – often lockable and designed for documents, money, or jewelry – offer dual protection against both severe weather and potential robbers.

As we already mentioned, before a storm hits, it’s critical to secure all outdoor items. If you don't bring in (or tie down) garden furniture, grills, or toys, strong winds can not only damage them but also throw them in the air, causing harm to your house or your family.

Smart home upgrades for bad weather protection

Sustainable and smart upgrades offer an opportunity not only to weather-proof your house but also to make it more environmentally friendly. For example, choosing stronger roofing materials helps your home withstand intense storms, which in turn reduces waste and expenses from frequent repairs.

Make use of today’s technological advances to boost your home’s resilience, for example:

• Install water-leak sensors (e.g., in basements, near appliances, or at the foundation) that instantly alert you to issues before minor drips become major floods.
• Integrate renewable energy with battery backup storage: Solar panels generate clean power, and the battery stores excess energy, ensuring critical systems stay online during power outages, making the home truly self-sufficient and reducing its carbon footprint all year round.
• Remote monitoring and damage assessment: If you must evacuate or are simply away from home during a storm, smart cameras and the ability to remotely control lights and locks allow you to monitor your property via your phone. You can check for damage (like a fallen tree or broken window) and use video footage for insurance claims later.

Household preparation: Instructing your family on emergency actions

No house-proofing will be enough if your family members aren’t prepared to weather the autumn storms. Start by a short family meeting, explaining what to do if a storm hits unexpectedly. Especially if you have children, explain to them where to go in case of a storm or a severe weather warning, identifying the safest place in your home (often a basement, interior closet, or lower-level bathroom). Explain that it’s important to close doors and windows and discuss how to turn off the main utilities (if safe to do so). By ensuring everyone knows the emergency plan, you can significantly reduce panic and improve safety when rough weather arrives.

Assembling a small, accessible home safety kit is another essential step that is rather simple to implement. This kit should include essentials for a multi-day power outage, such as working flashlights and extra batteries for every family member, non-perishable water and food, a fully charged power bank for phones, and a well-stocked first aid kit. Keep this kit in a designated, easy-to-reach location, like a kitchen or hall closet, or technical room.

We all hope for a peaceful autumn season without major storms. However, if rough weather does happen, do not forget to carefully inspect your property afterwards – once the storm has fully passed and it’s safe to go outside (or return to your property).

A thorough after-storm check-up is essential to find and address hidden damage early. Inside the house, immediately inspect the basement and technical spaces for any signs of water intrusion or dampness, which indicate a drainage or foundation issue. Briefly check essential appliances and systems, such as the furnace and water heater, for any apparent damage or unusual sounds (especially if you experienced a power surge or outage).

Outside, check the roof and gutters for any missing shingles or visible blockages, as these can lead to leaks later. Check the territory around your home and all fences or gates for any damage caused by high winds or falling debris.

Prevention is the best defense, especially when you think about it long-term, not just at the last minute. Your home is your safe haven, so build protection against disasters right into its very foundations. In addition to this extensive list of home safety tips, be sure to check out our last-minute home-proofing checklist for unexpected storms.

Even with the best preparations unexpected damage can still happen when nature strikes. It's vital to remember that a home insurance policy is your ultimate safety net to recover quickly from the costly and unforeseen damage caused by severe storms and hidden water intrusion.

If your house is already insured, it’s important to review your policy regularly. Ensure you have adequate coverage for storm-related events, offering security for your home and belongings during storm season and well beyond.