Things You'll Need:
- Paper and pencil for notes
- Rope or bungee cords
- Plastic rolls or canvas tarps
- Yard tools
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Step 1
To begin, you will need to start with a little basic yard clean up. Mow your grass as this will allow you to easily see dangerous items in your yard after a storm. Clean up any debris in your yard, such as old tree limbs, pine cones or leaf piles. Cut back shrubs, bushes or other yard vegetation to provide easier post-storm cleanup. Trim tree limbs away from your home or other structures. Also, cut away any small growth on the interior of the tree. During a storm this dense growth can act like a sail and cause the tree to fall over during high winds. If necessary, contact the electric company or a private contractor to trim trees away from your utility lines.
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Step 2
The next step it to secure any storage buildings, workshops or play areas in your yard. For storage or other types of buildings, check the structure for defects and repair immediately. Check to make sure that the doors and windows close and lock securely. You may also want to install storm anchors to prevent the structure from flipping over during high winds. Secure or cover anything connected to the outside of the structure. For playground areas, you will want to begin by securing any equipment. Remove swings, ladders or any other detachable part and store them in an outbuilding or other inside area. Inspect the main structure and tighten or repair any part that may seem loose. You may also want to consider anchoring it to the ground.
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Step 3
With your yard and storage buildings secured, you will now want to turn your attention to other outdoor items. Patio or other outdoor furniture may be designed to withstand the weather, but you don't want it to become flying debris. As with your playground equipment, move outdoor furniture to a storage building, basement or other inside area. If this is not possible, move it to an area under a deck, or other area that might provide protection from a storm. If moving this furniture isn't an option, remove any loose or detachable parts and use rope or bungee cords to tie it down. Move trash cans, recycling bins or other storage containers into the garage or storage building. If possible, move or secure outdoor pet houses against possible high winds. Besides being a fire hazard, outdoor grills or smokers can also present a hazard in high winds. Remove any gas canisters or fuel sources and store these items in a garage or storage building. You will always want to store the fuel source as far away from the house as possible. Make sure that bicycles, scooters and other recreational equipment is moved inside.
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Step 4
With these steps completed, take a walk around your yard and look for other possible hazards. You should find a fairly empty space that will not produce any flying debris or other hazards during a storm. At this point, you can turn your attention to securing your residential structure.
