A year ago last month, Superstorm Sandy hit the East Coast and shattered the coastline. Since then, people have been more conscious when it comes to storm preparation. Remember the gas lines of last year, or the electricity being out for days or even weeks at a time due to the storm?
This time around, people will undoubtedly be more prepared for facing the worst. That goes for your lawn or yard, as well. Preparing your front and back yards for potential storms is not just an aesthetic move – it is a safety one. People who lost power or even their homes due to a tree falling on their property know how dangerous falling limbs can be. Exercising proper and routine lawn care can be an essential tool in keeping you and your loved ones safe.
So what do you need to do to prepare your yard for the storm season? Here are some lawn care and safety tips:
Trim those trees and have damaged trees cut down
If your yard has trees which are on death’s door, or too unhealthy to withstand a storm, have them cut down as soon as possible. In Staten Island, one 150-year-old church survived Superstorm Sandy with no damage because a prescient board member lobbied the church to fund cutting down some old, dying trees. If he had been unsuccessful in getting those trees removed, one of them may have fallen onto the church and destroyed it.
Do these other pre-storm lawn preparations
Take a look around your yard. Are there any other things in your yard, like loose slats on a roof or lightweight lawn furniture, that could fly out and do damage during a storm? If so, fix the situation. Also, take care of areas in your lawn or yard with poor drainage. Clean up your yard of any extraneous items – not only will it look better, but it will be safer, too. And scoop up and throw out things like pine cones, leaves, twigs and other items before the storm. Maintaining a lawn that is clean and free of potential dangers can help keep your family as well as your yard safe.
Don’t forget cleanup time
If you have a garage or a shed, clean it up of the usual clutter to make sure that you can actually store items in it. That is an overlooked safety tip. You do not want to lose good lawn furniture or other outdoor items you own because you did not have enough space to put the items in the shed or garage.
Once the storm is on its way, stay put
Don’t think you can cut the branches on your trees when the storm is on its way – you could end up risking your life by doing so. Instead, do such lawn maintenance items long before the storm. Once the storm is on its way, stay safe and sound in your home. By regularly implementing proper lawn care and precautionary maintenance, you can help minimalize potential storm damage before it happens.
