Washington County Weekend Post

2B • WASHINGTON COUNTY POST • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2021 GMTODAY.COM REAL ESTATE Place your ad 24/7 @ www.gmtoday.com/classifieds Southeast Wisconsin For assistance call 262.306.5000 or conleyclass@conleynet.com Prepare your home for storms Prepare your home, yard and buildings to be ready for the specific storm activi- ty your area is likely to see. One thing to remember when preparing your home to withstand a natural dis- aster is trusting your local experts on evacuation notices. You can do yourself a big favor by preparing now for potential storms versus waiting until there is limited time to make a solid plan. Follow these tips to make sure your home is ready when the time comes. Secure Large Items If you live in an area where heavy winds are an issue, keep household and yard items secured. Ensure that your fences are proper- ly secured so to help prevent them from being lifted up and thrown against the house. Patio furniture and large toys can also damage the exterior of your home, so it's always a good idea to anchor outdoor furniture or bring it indoors before a storm hits. Move any large standalone refuse items into your garage bins before a storm comes to minimize the risk of it becoming fly- ing debris. Protect Your Valuables Sometimes it's not the fur- niture or large-scale items we are afraid of losing in a storm. It's the photos, jewel- ry and extra cash reserves that are at the greatest risk. You can protect your mementos in waterproof containers or take them with you in the instance of an evacuation. A great way of protecting your invest- ments on these items is to build a detailed inventory of all of your belongings. Note the approximate value of each item and the date of pur- chase. This will help you replace any items should they be lost or damaged during a storm. Add a Storm Shelter Storm shelters come in all shapes and sizes. They can be dug into your yard or added to a basement or garage. One of the main benefits of a storm shelter is that it is within or very close to you, so everyone in the household can get to it easily during a time of stress or quick decision- making. Severe storms, especially tornadoes, can cause great damage to your home. A storm shelter gives you the protection you need from flying debris or damaging winds, and can also provide the space to adequately protect your most precious valuables. Emergency Kit A true emergency can leave you without basic services for up to a few days. This includes electricity, water, gas or sewage interrup- tions. Here are a few must-have items for your emergency kit, according to the Ameri- can Red Cross. • Water: One gallon per person, per day to cover drinking and sanitation. • Food: At least a three-day supply of food per person. • Battery-powered or hand- crank radio. • Any necessary medication. • Hand-crank flashlight. • First aid kit. • Cell phone with charger. • Local maps.

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