Storm Safety for Your Family- Living in Ohio, it’s never a shock to experience a severe storm. It’s just part of residing in the Buckeye State! What can catch a homeowner off guard, however, is the immense property damage that can be the result of mother nature. Any dwelling that is left untreated following destruction due to pounding rain, lightning, high winds, hail, or a tornado can lead to major structural damage. Secondary damage such as mold then has a higher chance of creeping its way into a home. Mold can threaten the health and safety of any homeowner even further.
Understanding Storms
It’s essential to understand the things one can do to stay safe when facing a severe storm. For example, keeping a close eye out for hazards from the storm itself. Risks can include broken glass from a hail-shattered window, or weakened roofing from wind ripping off shingles. When inspecting these damages during the night, use a battery-operated flashlight instead of a candle. Using a candle risks an open flame. This could cause a fire, or even worse, an explosion due to a damaged gas line. If the smell of gas is present in the home, make sure to turn off the main gas line and open as many windows as possible. Notify the gas company as soon as you have left the house, don’t worry, they can be notified once you’ve made it a safe distance from the home.
Lightning
As Ohio residents are well aware, lightning storms can and will happen whenever, wherever. Lightning presents the threat of damage to electrical wiring, antennas, satellite dishes, and cable/telephone lines. Assume a downed power line is live and dangerous, chances are, it is. Remain at least 10 feet from the downed line, and alert the utility company as well as the authorities as quickly as you can. If possible, stay indoors during the storm under the protection of your home.
Accompanying the lightning is an even less friendly companion, flooding due to heavy rains. The first thing to do once again is think of the hazards involved, safety first! Start by making sure the power to the home is completely shut off. Find the fuse box and turn off the main breaker and individual fuse switches. It’s no secret that electricity and standing water do not mix well. Investigate the home for signs like buckled walls and warped/cracked foundations that indicate there is structural damage. Do not enter an area that shows signs of collapsing.
Flooding and Water Damage
Unfortunately, once water damage due to a storm is involved, the clock begins ticking even faster to protect the well-being of a homeowner. Water is tricky, following the gravitational pull to always seep into the deepest layers of a structure. Shutting off the power in a home, standing water, this means dark, damp, and dangerous, the perfect environment for mold. Mold is one of the most severe hazards after a flood, due to the critical health conditions it can cause. As a homeowner, we do not recommend that you try to remediate this threat on your own. The safest thing that one can do is to address this situation by contacting a reputable mold remediation and water mitigation specialist.
If your home has experienced any kind of structural damage, call the team at Thompson Building Associates. Our professionals can assist you in addressing the problem. Remember, the longer the issue persists, the more time for the damage to worsen and repairs to become more expensive. For more information, find us on
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