Unlike some other countries like America for example. The UK has relatively gentle weather. Sure we don’t bask in the heat for numerous months but we also don’t get the brunt of a storm like they do.

However it is important to be ready for when the weather does change. We have recently had storm Ciara weigh down on us with another storm already on the horizon here are my quick tips for staying safe!

House & Garden

First things first, you should ensure everything in your garden is firmly held down. I remember quite well having to dash out in high winds to rescue the boy’s trampoline. So just make sure you put those extra weights on it to hold it down. This year I had some garden furniture that I didn’t want to bring into the house so I folded them flat to the floor. Anything loose like recycling bins can become a powerful projectile that could damage your house or others.

With regards the house, after each storm you should inspect your roof and ensure you fix any issues. As when the wind pickups this will become a vulnerable spot.

Food & Drink

Storms can make travelling dangerous, from downed trees to flooded roads! As such always make sure you do your weekly shop in plenty of time. Having those extra essentials means you can wait things out until you have to venture out.

For us it’s a quick stock check for:

• Beans
• Jacket Potatoes
• Milk
• Bread

Power

We often have power cuts when the wind picks up. So ensure you have candles and torches at the ready, we are lucky in a way as we have emergency lighting dotted around the hallway so we can quite easily find our way around the house. We also try and make sure that our mobiles are topped up with charge as our landline won’t work without power!

Warmth

When the power is out, we fall back on our wood burning stove to keep us warm. That and some comfy blankets. We embrace the storm and bunker in for some board games! Anything to keep out minds off the cold and wet weather outside!

The Aftermath

Clearing up after a storm is a great idea. Any debris that has come down from the trees needs to be stacked away from the house to ensure it doesn’t get flung back up at the windows! Check for any loose or fallen roof tiles is a must. The storm before this last one took a couple of ridge tiles clean off the roof!