How To Prepare for Those Summer Storms Before They Hit Home

Summer is a time for tumultuous weather. Tornado frequency has been on the rise during the summer months, particularly in the Southeast, and summer heat can also lead to intense afternoon and evening thunderstorms. Hurricane season begins on June 1st, and this year's activity is expected to be high.

No matter where you live, there is a risk of dangerous summer storms. Being prepared reduces your vulnerability and helps keep you and your loved ones safe. Take action now, so that you are not caught off guard when one does hit home.

Tips for Summer Storm Preparedness

With the summer storm season on the horizon, the best time to safeguard your household is now. Here are some tips to get you ready.

Create an Emergency Kit

Gather provisions for an emergency kit. You will need a good first aid kit. Check the supplies to ensure they are in good condition and haven't expired. Make sure that you have working flashlights with fresh batteries, as summer storms can leave you without power. Remember, you do not want to put the batteries into the flashlights until they are needed for use. Other items to include are matches and candles, a battery-powered radio and battery-operated clock.

Stock Food Supplies

Power outages and infrastructure damage are possible with severe storms. In the case of tornadoes and hurricanes, entire cities can be left without access to food sources. Keep a stock separate from your general household goods. Include staples such as bread, crackers and canned and dry foods. Don't forget baby formula and food! Summer storms can also leave you without a means for cooking your food, so having a camp stove or grill on hand is a good idea.

Set Aside Water

If power is cut off to the city's water supply, the water coming from your taps may not be safe to drink. Just as with your food staples, you want water supplies kept separate from any bottled water that is for general household consumption. A good rule of thumb is to have five gallons of water on hand for each person in the home. This amount will keep you going for five days. When summer storms are imminent, fill a bathtub with water to use for the toilet.

In addition to the above, it is good practice to keep at least one cell phone in the house fully charged and alternate phones in use during a storm to extend access time. Another important consideration is to keep a full tank of gas in the car in case you have to evacuate.

Storm preparedness is an important aspect to staying safe during the summer storm season. Setting aside the supplies you need ensures you are ready when the storm strikes home.