Is Your Home Prepared for a Disaster?

Life doesn’t always go as planned. If you think ahead, you can stay prepared in the event of a disaster. First, you need to know what disasters to plan for and what steps you can take to keep your home safe. Keep reading for a list of the most common disasters and how you can properly prepare for them.

If your HVAC or electrical system is already damaged and need repairs or maintenance, contact Jack Lehr Heating Cooling & Electric in Allentown, PA to schedule your service today.

Common Natural Disasters

Several weather conditions can affect the safety of your home. Here are some of the most common natural causes that can cause severe damages:

• Cold weather
• Wind
• Winter storms
• Floods
• Lightning
• Hurricanes
• Tornados
• Heat waves

How to Prepare Your Home

One flood or storm could completely destroy your home. Luckily, there are precautions you can take to minimize or prevent damages in the case of a disaster. Here’s how you can protect your family and your home from three of the most common natural disasters:

Flood Preparation

• Clean your gutters – If your gutters are clogged, water will quickly collect around your home’s foundation. Cleaning them out will prevent additional water collection and unnecessary damages. Redirect downspouts away from your home to keep more water away.
• Protect HVAC systems and electrical systems – It’s a good idea to move your HVAC equipment to a higher floor or to build a water-proof wall around it. If you live in a high risk area, you should also raise sockets, circuits and other electrical hardware above flood elevation to help prevent damage or fires. For professional assistance with your electrical systems, contact Jack Behr in Allentown, PA.

Winter Weather Preparation

• Schedule HVAC maintenance – It’s important to schedule your HVAC maintenance services before the winter months, so you are prepared in case of a winter storm. Jack Lehr can help with furnace maintenance, heat pump maintenance, and AC maintenance in the Allentown, PA area.
• Trim your trees – Cut back the limbs and branches from around your home, so if they pile up with snow and ice, they don’t fall on your roof.
• Drain irrigation systems – Water can freeze up and damage your sprinklers, so be sure to drain them before a potential winter storm.
• Insulate – To prevent your pipes from freezing, make sure you insulate them. It’s also a good idea to insulate windows and walls to prepare for the cold weather.

Hurricane Preparation

• Put together an evacuation kit – Prepare a kit with water, food, extra clothing, a battery-powered flashlight, and first-aid supplies. Keep it in a safe place and make sure everyone in the house knows where to find it.
• Power off – Turn off propane tanks and unplug small appliances to prevent electrical fires.
• Turn the refrigerator up – It’s important to keep the refrigerator and freezer on the coldest settings before a potential storm so food will last longer if the power goes out.
• Close windows – Close all your doors, windows and shutters. Board up all your windows with plywood for extra security.

HVAC and Electrical Repair in Allentown, PA

At Jack Lehr Heating Cooling & Electric, we want you and your family to stay safe throughout the year. If you properly prepare for disasters, you can greatly reduce and prevent damages to your home. If your HVAC or electric systems are already damaged or need maintenance services before the winter months, contact Jack Lehr to schedule service or request an estimate.