No doubt about it, spring and early summer weather in Ohio can be turbulent. After all, we’re on the eastern edge of the wide Midwestern storm belt known as Tornado Alley, where damaging thunderstorms have happened and will happen again. That means spring storm preparation is a must.
Following are some tips to get you started so you’ll be safe when dark clouds gather overhead.
Storm Safety Tips
- Locate your safe place ahead of the storm. If you have a basement, you’ll probably want to go below ground. Otherwise, plan to relocate to a windowless bathroom or closet in the interior of the home. The more walls you have between you and the exterior of the home, the better off you’ll be. Plan to take mattresses or cushions with you to protect your head.
- Assemble storm survival supplies before bad weather is imminent. Include an emergency first aid kit, flashlights or battery-powered lamps, batteries, non-perishable food, blankets and drinking water.
- Invest in a generator in case there’s a power failure. Research carefully as to whether a portable or standby generator might be best for you.
- Obtain a battery-powered weather radio that broadcasts NOAA weather information 24 hours a day, even when other radio or TV stations may be off the air.
- Clean up around the home before the storm hits. Imagine all that patio furniture or those container plants and landscaping tools flying around and breaking your windows or damaging your air conditioner compressor. Put everything you can wrangle into the garage, or be sure it’s secure enough to withstand a big blow. In the case of your HVAC system, make sure it’s installed in an area that isn’t prone to flooding. If it’s below flood level, you should raise it. You can also protect the unit with a strong canvas tarp or by installing hail guards.
- Keep a complete record of your belongings in a safe place, and keep your insurance policies up to date.
For more on spring storm preparation, contact Energy 1 Heating and Air Conditioning. We serve Lorain and the surrounding area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about storm preparation and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 440-201-2959.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area