Top tips on how to protect your home during a storm

 


There is nothing wrong with being prepared when we are faced with severe weather conditions. In fact, when severe weather conditions happen it can potentially damage your home and your belongings. It’s important to ensure you are fully prepared.

To help you get prepared, we’ve outlined some useful tips on how to protect your home during a storm and to prevent some of these issues from happening.

 

1. Stay up to date with weather warnings

  • Start by keeping up to date on weather warnings on Met Eireann or other reliable weather sources. Depending on the weather alert or warning may determine how bad the storm will be.

 

2. Be storm ready

In the event of a high alert, you might experience power outages and could potentially be without electricity for several hours. Make sure you are stocked up and well-prepared.

  • Grab hold of all the essential items and keep them in a convenient place. These items could be readily available food, water, torch, spare batteries, power bank, stocked up first aid kit and a camping stove and gas canister.
  • 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 around the home for leaks or cracks around windows, doors, chimney, plumbing and vents etc.
  • Put all electrical equipment on 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.

    •  

    4. Protect your home from storm damage

    • To prevent damage to your contents in the garden, secure all garden furniture, trampolines, swing set, slides etc.
    • Please ensure to secure shed and garage doors.
    • Be aware of how to manage your electric gates if you have them.
    • Make sure that drains and gutters around your home are cleared as these will allow rainfall to be drained more effectively.
    • Check the roof for any loose slates and ensure roof coverings are well maintained.

    These are just some of the 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 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.

    How to make a claim by phone:

    • If you are insured with RSA and would like to register a claim by phone, please contact RSA on 01 290 1999.
    • If you are insured with FBD and would like to register a claim by phone, please contact FBD on 01 947 6050

    How to make a claim 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.