PROPERTY PROTECTION is no joke with the increasing frequency and strength of hurricanes with every interval.
Luckily, Barbados has been blessed with a low number of catastrophic cataclysms, but that is no reason to rest on laurels when nature’s course rarely bends to the predictions.
Though this year is predicted to have fewer storms, that notion has no bearing on the intensity of each potential wave. Whether you need to batten down the hatches of your home, dry dock your boat, or keep your car out of the way of falling debris, the steps to security involve more than just insuring your possessions.
Many aspects of home readiness can be minimal if frequent maintenance is observed throughout the year. Leaky ceilings, small cracks in walls, and rickety hinges can spiral into devastating infrastructure damage if not pre-emptively addressed.
Take a tour of your home and inspect for potential weak areas in the worst of scenarios. A heavy potted plant can easily become a dangerous projectile in 200 kilometre per hour winds. Lawn and hanging ornaments should also catch your eye.
When hurricane force winds blow, those tiny leaks and unsecured boards can become floodgates to the wrath of an indifferent gale. Be certain to have a quick contingency plan in place for making your abode sound and storm resistant.
Up on the roof, reserve a good amount of time to inspecting your tiles, shingles, or galvanised house hat. Replacing damaged areas is the best option, best to patch leaks before the levee breaks. Any weakness on top of your house can easily translate to unrelenting wind and water damage if left untreated.
Poorly attached galvanise can be peeled back like a tuna can and unsecured shingles and tiles can create a domino effect under extreme stress.
Doors are gateways to your domicile; best not to leave them without reinforcement against the potential of a heavy hitting hurricane. Well kept hinges and sturdy materials are their own reward in the long run.
Take a trip to the hardware store and ask a few questions about the durability of your house Do not neglect your windows. Wind alone can decimate your frames and debris in the fray ramps up the need for safety. If you can’t afford storm shutters, some good 3/4-inch plywood cut to fit and well fortified should do the trick.
Know the landscape of your personal property. Take a macroscopic look around your home and account for the potential of even small trees and any objects not firmly attached to the ground.
Know the contours of your land. Find out the likely areas to enable water accumulation and circumvent the potential for that disaster before its need. Sealing cracked concrete can eliminate the potential for another heavyweight projectile.
If you keep up to date on your home repairs, informed on the situation about the hurricane season, and have your emergency supplies and contingency plans set, then you should be ready to weather any prospective storms.