In Washington, winter brings not just the cold but also high winds, heavy rainfall, and snow in higher elevations. Preparing for these conditions is crucial to ensure safety and minimize household disruptions. This checklist will help you prepare for winter storms, from securing your home to ensuring you have reliable power sources like home standby generators.
Secure Your Home
- Check and Clean Gutters: Ensure that your gutters are clean to prevent water backup, which can damage your roof and siding.
- Inspect Your Roof: Check for damaged shingles and seal any leaks to prevent water damage.
- Trim Trees: Remove dead branches and trim trees near your home to prevent damage from falling limbs during high winds.
Emergency Supplies and Kits
- Basic Supplies: Stock up on essentials such as water, non-perishable food, blankets, and first aid supplies.
- Power Solutions: Consider a home standby generator to maintain power during outages. Portable generators are also useful, but remember that they require regular refueling.
- Communication Devices: Keep a battery-powered radio and extra batteries handy to stay updated on storm progress and emergency information.
Prepare for Power Outages
- Install a Standby Generator: A home standby generator automatically kicks in when the power goes out for uninterrupted power.
- Surge Protectors: Protect your electronics from power surges when electricity is restored using surge protectors.
- Safety Check: Ensure carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms have fresh batteries and function properly.
Protect Against Flooding
- Elevate Critical Utilities: Raise electrical components such as sockets, switches, and wiring at least a foot above expected flood levels.
- Sandbags: Use sandbags to block areas where water might enter your home.
Vehicle Preparation
- Emergency Kit for Cars: Keep an emergency kit in your car that includes ice scrapers, blankets, and a flashlight.
- Check Antifreeze Levels: Ensure your vehicle’s antifreeze levels are sufficient to prevent freezing.
Contact Washington Generators for Backup Power Solutions
Don’t wait until the storm hits to find out you’re unprepared. Contact Washington Generators today to explore our range of reliable generator solutions that ensure you remain safe and powered during even the toughest Washington winters.