Here are some valuable tips
for preventing problems from high winds:
Appliances.
Purchase sturdy "L-brackets" from the hardware store. Use
them to anchor your major appliances to the walls or countertops of
your home. Watch out for electrical hazards. If necessary, hire a professional.
Cupboards.
Put child safety locks on your upper and lower cupboards to prevent
spillage.
Pictures.
Use "V-hooks" to mount pictures and wall hangings instead
of nails. These hooks enable pictures to shift without falling from
the wall.
Roof.
Prevent leakage from water driven by high winds. If you have a metal
roof, recoat it if needed. Metal roof coating is available at lumber
yards and hardware stores. If you have a shingle roof, make sure the
shingles are not flapping in the wind. They can be secured with black
plastic roof cement commonly found in home improvement stores or lumber
yards. Or, you can purchase a coating made specifically for shingles--to
coat and seal them on all edges. It usually adds about 10 more years
to the roof's life span and prevents wind and water backup.
Debris
and leaves. Keep your roof free of debris and leaves
that can rot and deteriorate both shingle and metal roofs.
Exterior.
Repair exterior siding, awnings, gutters, downspouts and brackets if
loose, damaged or dangling. Make sure skirting is properly vented.
Water
heater and furnace. Securely attach these to your home.
Utilities.
Learn how to quickly disconnect breakers in the service box for your
water, gas and electric. If there's time, turn these utilities off before
you leave your mobile home to seek shelter.
Hazardous
objects. Keep your yard free of poles, shovels, bikes
and other loose articles. These can become hazardous flying objects
during severe windstorms.
Underneath
your mobile home. Don't store flammable, caustic, or
hazardous material beneath your home, not even newspapers or grass clippings.
Tie-downs.
Have a trained professional install proper tie-downs on your home and
sheds. The "recommended" number of tie-downs should be considered
a bare minimum. Install extra ones whenever feasible. Use the kind of
tie-down designed specifically for the type of soil under your home.
Also, regularly inspect your tie-downs. Check all straps and connectors
to make sure they aren't cracked, torn or rusted.
Windbreak.
Establish a windbreak. Tall trees provide a natural windbreak. Remove
dead trees.
Windows.
Consider replacing older windows with modern, impact-resistant glass.
