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How to protect your home from storm damage

 



It’s important to be prepared when faced with severe weather conditions. Severe weather has the potential to damage your home and your belongings.

To help, we’ve outlined some useful tips on how to best protect your home during a storm.


Storm waves crashing




1. Stay up to date with weather warnings

  • Keep up to date on weather warnings from Met Eireann or other reliable weather sources. The weather alerts/warnings will determine how severe the storm is going to be.

 

2. Be storm ready

In the event of a high alert, you could experience power outages. Make sure you are stocked up and well-prepared.

  • Keep all essential items in a convenient place. Essentials like food, water, a working torch, spare batteries, phone chargers and a fully stocked first aid kit should be easily accessible.
  • Save any emergency numbers to your phone or have them written down in a notepad.
  • Have your MPRN number readily available.
  • Keep your pets inside.
  • Unplug unused electrical appliances.

 

3. Prevent flooding

  • If you’re in a high risk flood area, or see any possibility of a flood happening at your home, make sure to introduce flood prevention measures, such as flood gates, sand bags etc.
  • Check your home for leaks or cracks around windows, doors, chimney, plumbing and vents etc.
  • Put all electrical equipment at a height (above ground level) i.e washer, dryer, TV, computers etc.
  • Store valuable and sentimental items upstairs or in a safe place so they don’t get damaged.

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    4. Protect your home from storm damage

    • To prevent damage to your garden, secure all garden furniture, trampolines, swing set, slides etc.
    • Secure shed and garage doors.
    • Know how to operate your electric gates if you have them.
    • Make sure that drains and gutters around your home are cleared, this will allow rainfall to drain more effectively.
    • Check the roof for any loose slates and ensure roof coverings are well maintained.

    These are some helpful tips to help you protect your home.

    If your home is damaged by a storm or affected by flooding or any other weather incident, make sure to contact your insurer to check if you’re covered. At Bank of Ireland Insurance Services, we offer a free 24-Hour emergency helpline which means there is always someone on hand to help.

    To record a claim or for claims advice, you can contact the dedicated claims department. The claims process is quick and easy. Please see information below on how to make a claim by phone or online.

    Phone:

    • If you are insured with RSA and would like to register a claim by phone, please contact RSA on 01 290 1958.
    • If you are insured with FBD and would like to register a claim by phone, please contact FBD on 01 947 6050.

    Online:

    • If you are insured with RSA and would like to make a claim online – click here
    • If you are insured with FBD and would like to make a claim online – click here

    Most importantly, stay safe.