As we near the end of the year, many of us are focused on the holiday season and spending time with loved ones. However, this period often brings unpredictable and severe weather conditions, including strong winds, heavy rain, snow, and ice. Preparing your home for these extreme weather patterns is essential for ensuring the safety and comfort of your family. One of the most overlooked yet vital preparations is decluttering your home, both inside and out.
Decluttering not only creates a safer environment during storms, but it also makes your home more functional, allowing you to focus on staying warm and dry when the weather turns sour. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through a step-by-step process to help you prepare your home for severe end-of-the-year weather and explain why decluttering is a key part of that process.
Start with Outdoor Areas
When it comes to preparing for severe weather, the exterior of your home is your first line of defence. Strong winds, snowstorms, and heavy rain can easily cause damage to your property if loose items are left lying around.
Declutter Your Yard
Take the time to walk around your yard and clear any clutter that could become a projectile in strong winds or be buried under snow. Items like garden tools, toys, and outdoor furniture should be stored in a shed or garage. If you don’t have space, consider investing in a weather-resistant outdoor storage box. Also, check for any tree branches that may be dead or weakened – these can easily fall and cause damage during a storm, so they should be trimmed in advance.
Clear Gutters and Drains
Clogged gutters and drains can pool water around your home, increasing the risk of flooding or ice formation. This is a key step in decluttering for severe weather. Remove leaves, dirt, and debris from your gutters to ensure they are free-flowing. It’s also a good idea to check storm drains in your area and remove any visible obstructions that might cause flooding.
Secure and Declutter Indoor Spaces
Once the outside of your home is taken care of, it’s time to focus on the inside. Severe weather may require you to stay indoors for extended periods, so it’s essential to ensure your living space is safe and functional.
Organise Emergency Supplies
If you’re preparing for severe weather, it’s always a good idea to have an emergency supply kit. However, it’s easy for emergency supplies to get mixed in with everyday items, making them hard to find when you need them most. Decluttering your storage spaces, like cupboards and closets, will make it easier to access vital supplies like torches, batteries, blankets, and non-perishable food in an emergency.
Declutter Hallways and Exits
In case you need to leave your home quickly due to an emergency, it’s essential to keep hallways and exits clear of clutter. Items like shoes, boxes, and other random objects often pile up in these areas, creating a tripping hazard. Take time to clean up these spaces so that you can move freely in and out of your home without obstruction.
Prepare for Power Outages
Severe weather often leads to power outages, which can last for hours or even days. Being prepared for these outages can make a huge difference in how comfortable you remain while waiting for power to be restored.
Declutter Cables and Devices
In today’s world, we rely heavily on electronic devices for communication, entertainment, and work. However, tangled cables and misplaced chargers can add unnecessary stress during a power outage. Take the time to declutter your tech area by organising cables and keeping essential devices fully charged. This will ensure that when the power goes out, you’ll have easy access to your phone, tablet, or portable battery pack.
Create a Centralised Emergency Hub
As part of your preparation for severe weather, consider designating a central area in your home where essential items will be kept. This could include flashlights, matches, candles, and any important documents. Decluttering this area and keeping it organised will allow you to easily access what you need in an emergency.
Insulate and Protect Your Home
One of the biggest challenges of severe weather, especially during the winter months, is keeping your home warm and energy-efficient. While decluttering may not seem directly related to insulation, it can play a significant role in how well you can protect your home from the cold.
Declutter Windows and Doors
Windows and doors are the primary points of heat loss in your home, so it’s important to make sure they are properly insulated. Decluttering window sills and doorways allows you to seal any gaps with weather stripping or draft stoppers. Removing objects from in front of radiators will also ensure that heat circulates more effectively throughout your home.
Clear Out Spaces for Emergency Heaters
If you’re worried about losing central heating during a power outage, you may want to invest in a portable heater. However, these require space to operate safely. Decluttering rooms by removing excess furniture, rugs, and other items will reduce the risk of fire hazards when using alternative heating methods.
Plan for Water Damage
Flooding is a common consequence of severe weather, particularly in areas that experience heavy rainfall or snowmelt. Preparing your home for potential water damage can save you a lot of hassle and expense in the long run.
Declutter Basements and Garages
Basements and garages are often the first places to flood during heavy rain or snowstorms. If you use these areas for storage, now is the time to declutter. Elevate valuable items off the floor and store them in waterproof containers. Decluttering these spaces not only makes them more organised but also protects your belongings in case of flooding.
Keep Drains and Sump Pumps Clear
If you have a sump pump in your basement, make sure it is working properly before any severe weather hits. Additionally, declutter the area around the pump to ensure that it is not obstructed. The same applies to any floor drains – these should be clear of clutter so that they can function properly in the event of water accumulation.
Trust Salvage Savers for Expert Rubbish Removal
Severe end-of-the-year weather can bring many challenges, but with proper preparation, you can protect your home and ensure the safety of your family. Decluttering is a key part of that preparation, making it easier to secure your property and access essential items when you need them most.
If you find yourself overwhelmed by the task of decluttering, don’t worry – you don’t have to do it alone. Salvage Savers offers professional rubbish removal services to help you clear out unwanted items quickly and efficiently. Whether you need help cleaning out your yard, basement, or any other part of your home, we’ve got you covered.
Contact Salvage Savers today to get expert assistance with your rubbish removal needs and prepare your home for whatever the weather has in store!
