Spring is coming! While you may be daydreaming of May flowers, unfortunately you will need to get through April showers first. While it may seem like just a bit of rain to some, other areas, such as Hawaii, Louisiana, Missouri, Alabama, and Florida are known for getting more rain than other states. With excessive rain comes an increased risk of flooding. Regardless of whether you live in a state known for getting the most rain or not, it never hurts to be prepared for the worst. Here are six steps you can take to prepare for April showers.
1. Check your gutters – Have you checked your gutters lately? Your gutters play a crucial role in moving rainwater away from your home. However, they can't do their job properly if they are filled with leaves, dirt, and debris. Be sure to thoroughly check your gutters prior to an expected rainfall to make sure there's nothing that can block the flow of water.
2. Check your electrical cords – Where are the majority of the electrical cords in your home located? On a normal day, having electrical cords touching the floor won't seem like such a big deal. However, if the forecast predicts a large amount of rain and potential flooding, you will want to keep your electrical cords elevated to prevent an electrical fire or electrical shock. This is especially true of cords located in basements, which are traditionally more prone to flooding.
3. Invest in a sump pump – If your home has a basement, then you may remember what it was like to clean it up after flooding. Make things easier this time around – invest in a sump pump. A sump pump will allow you to easily pump all of the excess water out of your home, should your basement flood. You may think that you don't need a pump, but it's always better to be safe than sorry.
Tsurumi sump pumps can save you a lot of time and effort in the event of any kind of flooding. It can also help prevent damage to your belongings.
4. Keep batteries, candles, and non-electric lights on hand – Always be prepared for the worst. Remember, excessive rain can cause damage to power lines if they become too wet. This can result in power outages, making batteries, candles, and non-electric lights crucial. However, it's not enough to simply own these items; if you don't know where they are when you need them, candles and flashlights will be useless. Choose one specific area to store all of your supplies and make them easy to locate in the dark.
5. Stock up on special foods – Remember, if the excessive rain causes a power outage, cooking could become a challenge. Stock up on foods that don't require refrigeration or electricity to cook. Canned goods such as tuna, soup, and fruit are great items. Snack foods like crackers are also ideal for these situations. Be sure that you have a non-electric can opener on hand as well, or else your canned goods will be useless.
6. Have an emergency plan – As stated previously, always be prepared for the worst. It may seem like a little rain, but it never hurts to be prepared for flooding or worse yet, hurricanes. Always have an emergency plan well-rehearsed in case you need to evacuate your home. Keep a list of emergency contacts on hand and have a place to go in times of need. Remember, there is no such thing as being too prepared.
With these helpful tips, you'll be able to sail through all of the storms and showers April throws your way with ease!
