Once a year, homeowners need to evaluate condition of their home

A good time to evaluate the condition of  your home...

     Sunday in the south was anything but quiet. Orangeburg, as well as sixteen other counties were issued a tornado watch by the National Weather Service until 1 am. A fast moving system with non stop winds pounded many homes as it moved its way further east. Severe weather conditions often times call for an evaluation of the exterior condition of your home and yard. Taking care of some potential problems before the next severe system hits your area is important.

Yard assessment- Walk through your yard and make sure all trees have dead branches removed. Powerful winds can launch these dead limbs and send them hurling toward windows, or cause them to fall on live wires running to your home.
Consider removing large trees that may be too close to your home. Certain evergreens can withstand winds well, but others do not. Pecan trees in the south are notorious for branches that do not tolerate winds well.
Exterior assessment- Severe storms, gale force winds, all can do a number on a home. Check for loose shingles, damaged gutters, and the condition of any vinyl siding. Any of these issues can lead to bigger problems later on. Check your home for any cracks, or areas that may be vulnerable to water damage, as this leads to rot, mold, and termite problems. Upgrade your windows. The newer windows on the market are much better at tolerating severe weather, and wind issues. Vinyl windows with an internal grid design between the panes are actually very good at keeping windows from shattering and glass debris from tornadoes and hurricanes.
Interior assessment- Many SC residents need not look far back into the history of our weather to recall the damage from Hurricane Hugo. Knowing a few tips ahead of time can make a big difference in how well you and your family tolerate getting through situations of this kind. Make an emergency kit that is updated regularly. Include a well stocked first aid kit, a few cases of bottled water, can opener, candles, lighters,medicine, small radio and spare batteries. Include a list of emergency numbers in your Emergency kit. Remember to have your cell phone charged at all time. In your freezer, keep a few gallons of frozen water at all times. These can be moved to your fridge during a power outage to keep your food chilled, and also is a good source of water in an emergency. Make sure to discuss what to do in an emergency with your whole family. Children need to know what to do if they happen to be alone at home or if you are incapacitated. Stay safe, and always heed the warnings of the National Weather Service.