At the first sign of a storm people are worried about trees and roofs. It’s the garden that often takes the brunt of the weather, with loose items in the yard becoming debris that can cause damage to windows, cars and even damage a neighbour’s fence before the storm has even reached its peak. A quick outside clean down before the wind gets up can prevent so much damage.
Move or Anchor the Trampoline
A trampoline is a very large item which can travel across several gardens before coming to rest. This can cause considerable damage and is often beyond the control of the owner of the trampoline. The only way to prevent this is to fold up the trampoline and put it in the garage or shed. Alternatively, the netting can be weighed down with sandbags or heavy ropes tied to stakes. For permanent garden structures a ground anchor kit can be purchased to be fitted to the legs of the trampoline. These allow the trampoline to be secured to the ground in one easy operation without having to take down the structure each time there is a storm warning.
Bring Furniture and Cushions Indoors
Outdoor items like garden tables, chairs and lounger sofas can act like sails in the wind. Try to bring as many items as possible into your shed or garage but if there is not enough room to stack them up against the house using ratchet straps to tie the chairs together to the tables and then weigh down the stack using something heavy. Do not bring out the cushions, parasols and the bases of the umbrellas although the bases of the umbrellas may be very heavy the structure of the parasols can snap in the wind.
Secure Wheelie Bins and Recycling Boxes
An empty wheelie bin is easily blown to be damaged against a car or broken through a ground floor window. Also, empty recycling boxes can be easily scattered and their contents spread across the road. Try to bring your bins into your garage, at the side of your house or even into your back garden and make sure to lock your gate. If this is not possible then make sure your bins are turned to the lowest side of the path and weighed down with the lid. If you have no where to put your bins then put them on their side against a wall.
Deal With Pots, Planters and Hanging Baskets
Smaller plant pots and baskets could also be damaged easily in high winds, causing expensive damage to paving slabs or car bodies. Move small to medium sized pots and place them on their side against a wall, away from windows and other breakable items. Bring down hanging baskets from walls and bracket sites to prevent damage. Larger planters are likely to be fine outside but move them away from doors and roofs of glass such as conservatories and orangery style extensions.
Check Sheds, Greenhouses and Gazebos
Check for weaknesses in your sheds, greenhouses and gazebos, particularly the roofs. Loose roof panels, swinging doors and worn latches can all cause problems. Also check the guy ropes on gazebos to ensure they are tight and the pegs are still firmly in the ground. Take down any glass or polycarbonate panels that are already cracked. This type of information is contained within the Met Office’s advice on keeping a home safe in a storm as part of their general seasonal advice for your home. There is more on how to prepare for a storm uk at https://weathernearme.co.uk/weather-terms-explained/.
Bring in Ladders, Tools and Leaning Items
Leaning objects of any description become massive levers in strong winds. So bring in ladders, tools, unsplayed fence panels, stacks of posts etc and either store them indoors or lock them in your shed or garden room. If you can’t store them indoors then lay them flat on the ground outside and weigh down the middle. Don’t wait until the winds start blowing until you’ve done this sweep of your garden.
Tie Down Fence Panels and Loose Gates
A fence panel that has working loose over the summer, or a gate with loose or worn catches are amongst the most common items to cause damage and subsequent claims during a storm. Check all fence panels by hand, try to tighten any loose fixings. Tie gates shut with rope if the catch is not to work. A single panel to fall could cause considerable damage to a neighbour’s property (such as a shed or car) and could also cause damage to your own property.
Take Down Rotary Driers and Washing Lines
In addition to checking to see that external items have been secured, external items such as rotary driers, washing lines, and dryers can also become dangerous in high winds. Empty outdoor pools can also act like giant inflatable toys in strong winds. Even items such as outdoor table tennis tables can become dangerous in high winds. As mentioned previously, empty outdoor pools and other outdoor items such as external hot tubs and spas should also be emptied prior to high winds. Further information on what to do prior to high winds can be found on the Met Office’s homepage, along with further information on storm warnings and what the different levels mean to assist with preparation.
Remember that if the storm is forecast for a time when you would normally be out (e.g. late afternoon for a commute home), you should check the road for any falling branches or surface water before travelling.
Storm Prep Checklist
– Secure garden furniture, bins, trampolines and ladders
– Close and fasten windward doors and windows
– Clear gutters and check roof tiles before the season – Charge phones, find torches, note 105, for power cuts – After the storm: keep clear of fallen power lines and take photos of any damage to provide to your insurer.
A tidy garden sweep the evening before a warning is issued will address most of the risk before the wind arrives.
