From damaged roof tiles, to falling trees and escaped trampolines, high winds can cause all kinds of chaos to your home and garden.
Check out our top tips to prepare your property for strong winds – and how your Swiftcover home insurance can help once it’s all blown over:
- How do you know when high winds will hit
- How to prepare for high winds
- How to stay safe in high winds
- What to do after windy weather
How do you know when high winds will hit
The Met Office issue weather warnings for all kinds of extreme weather – including high winds. By signing up to their alerts, you can have weather warnings for your area sent directly to your inbox. That way, you’ll always be prepared for bad weather.
How to prepare for high winds
So you’ve had an alert about high winds. Now what? Before the winds pick up, you’ll need to check a few things around your home and garden.
-
Roof
Check for missing or slipped tiles and slates. If you’ve got a chimney, make sure it’s not leaning or cracked. If anything’s amiss, call a professional ASAP. -
Gutters and pipes
Secure gutters that are debris-free will help prevent damage elsewhere in your property by helping to stop them overflowing, or leaking water where they shouldn’t. -
Windows and doors
High winds will highlight any little draughts getting into your home. Keep out the chill by investing in draught excluders or adding extra sealant to your windows and doors. It could help you save up to £40 on your energy bills, too. -
Fences and gates
If you’ve got wonky fence posts or a gate that’s seen better days, it’s time to invest in a fix. If your fence falls, it could cause damage to your home – or your neighbour’s. Remember, your Swiftcover home insurance doesn’t cover damage to fences following a storm or flooding. Check your policy wording in your online account for more details. -
Trees and shrubs
Banish bothersome branches by trimming trees and shrubs back. Anything that’s loose, overhanging, or dead needs to go before it breaks off and damages your home. -
Garden gear
Being exposed to the elements means your garden will need some extra TLC before the winds pick up. Pack away garden furniture, toys, gardening tools, barbecues, and trampolines where possible. Anything that could be blown away should be locked away safely in a shed or outhouse. -
Bins
Make sure your bins are secure and tucked away somewhere out of the wind. If you’ve got the space, you might want to consider investing in a wheelie bin store to keep your bin safe and secure. If your rubbish does end up spilling out, you could get a fine from your council.
How to stay safe in high winds
You’ll need to pay attention to any advice given by the emergency services. If the winds get strong, staying safe inside your home should be your priority. Don’t go out in the wind to try and fix or secure anything. Remember, your things are replaceable but you aren’t.
As well as keeping one eye on local weather alerts, you might want to create an emergency kit. That way you’ve got some supplies ready in case of a power cut. Here are a few things you might want to include in your kit:
- Food that won’t need to be stored in the fridge
- Bottles of water
- Any medicines you’ve been prescribed
- First aid kit
- Blankets and warm clothes
- Torches and candles
- Radio with batteries.
What to do after windy weather
Wait until the winds have fully died down before you go to check for damage around your home and garden. If there’s signs of structural damage or power lines have blown over, contact a professional to deal with it.
If you’re a Swiftcover home insurance customer and your home’s been damaged by the wind, you may be able to make a claim. Taking pictures of what’s been damaged and gathering any relevant receipts will help to support your claim. Please note, your Swiftcover home insurance policy doesn’t cover damage that happens as a result of poor maintenance.