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When Winter Weather Strikes | SERVPRO of Westfield
11/17/2023 (Permalink)
The winter season is almost upon us! SERVPRO of Westfield has your back with these helpful tips.
Winter in Texas, while typically pretty mild, can always pack a few surprises. Our normal, warmer-than-most temperatures and rain showers can still give way to freezing cold and ice—sometimes in the same week.
No matter what kind of weather the season brings, the more you prepare, the safer you will stay. When you are ready, you can get through any winter storm and get back to regular life in no time.
When a storm is predicted to hit, it is important to get your supplies prepared ahead of time so that you can stay off the roads when it does arrive. Heavy, cold rains, potential ice and a few flurries can create very dangerous driving situations, especially when we see so little of it in our communities.
If you have hurricane or storm supplies, this is a good time to get them out and make sure they are working well. Winter storms can take the power out quickly, so a a weather radio and other emergency supplies are crucial for staying safe.
Make sure your kit has plenty of batteries, flashlights and basic first-aid supplies. If you have a generator, make sure you have the proper kind of fuel and can follow all safety guidelines when firing it up. Gather blankets, sleeping bags and warm clothes to bundle everyone until things warm up again.
If things stay cold long-term, you may need an alternate place to stay. Check with your family and friends about their emergency plans, and create an evacuation plan that will best serve your loved ones. Watch for warming stations to open throughout town as well for another way to get warmed up during the cold.
Once the storm has made its way through town and it is safe to move outdoors, inspect your home for potential damage. Even if you don’t see anything on the first look, there are a couple of things you should do to make sure your home is safe.
Start with your roof, checking for wind damage or potential debris build-up. Take caution if there is ice that hasn’t melted yet, but make sure your gutters are clear so that water has a route off of your roof when it does. Remove leaves and limbs, and fix any shutters that may have been displaced during the storm.
Walk around the exterior of your home once you know your roof is in good shape. Check the rest of your gutter system to make sure nothing has come disconnected and your downspouts are clear. Take a look at your heating unit and clear any debris around it as well, and make sure vents around your home aren’t blocked. You need to ensure that carbon monoxide isn’t allowed to build up inside your house.
If you find damage has been done when you inspect your home, call us right away. We are available 24⁄7 to take your call, and we will get a team headed to your property as soon as we can safely do so. They will complete a total assessment of your house and walk you through every step of the needed restoration process.
We want to get your house feeling like home again so that you can enjoy the rare cold weather—or hide out safely inside until it warms up again.
Our team is always ready for anything! Contact us at SERVPRO of Westfield for a quick restoration after suffering damage from a winter storm.