Posted by McDonald Insurance Agency on May 12, 2016

Spring is known for its rapidly changing weather—and that can mean severe storms. Help get your home and family ready with these tips!

Let it flow. Remove winter’s debris from your gutters, drains and downspouts so that heavy rains can flow freely off your roof. Be sure that downspouts are secure and that water is draining well away from your home and not toward your foundation—add extensions if necessary.
Trim the trees. Prune lanky limbs and branches so they don’t snap off in a windstorm and land on your home or a power line.
Check the pump. If your home has a sump pump, test it to make sure it’s clean and operable and that the outflow is draining properly. Consider adding a battery-powered backup sump pump to keep the system working if the power goes out.
Stow your gear. When strong winds are forecast, secure patio furniture and other yard items or put them in your garage or a shed so they don’t become dangerous projectiles.
Cover up. Close and secure storm shutters if your home has them. Keep blinds and shades drawn and tape or tack window coverings around the edges to help protect you from broken, flying glass. Get autos in a safe covered area if possible to protect from the elements.
If power outages are common in your area, prepare an emergency kit and keep it in a central location in your home. Basic supplies should include: Flashlight and fresh batteries Battery- or solar-powered weather radio and/or transistor radio, first aid supplies, hand sanitizer or wipes, and a small supple of canned or dried food and water.

Once the storm has passed, contact us at McDonald Insurance Agency as soon as possible to report any damage. One last tip directly from two of our Agents, Darcy and Lisa, is to let us know if your roof has been replaced recently due to hail or any other damage. That is very important information for us to keep track of and some of our companies will even give you a discount. But like always, please call our office with any questions or concerns.

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