Neighbour, can I help you clear that gutter?
29/10/2009
NRMA Insurance and the Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) are urging south-east Queenslanders to pull on gardening gloves after research revealed 40 per cent of households in storm-prone areas don’t believe their neighbourhood is prepared*.
NRMA Insurance spokesperson Frank Adler said neighbours should consider working bees on weekends to help one another be storm ready while it is still early in the season.
“The good news is that 60 per cent of households surveyed said they felt both they and their neighbours prepared their properties well to reduce the risk of storm damage,” he said.
“But that still leaves many who admit either they or their neighbours don’t do their bit. Objects can become airborne missiles in severe storms, so you may clean up and prepare but still find your neighbour’s debris causes damage to your property.”
The research also highlighted nearly 40 per cent of people impacted by last season’s storms got to know their neighbours better as a result of wild weather.
“Perhaps we can take the opportunity this year to do something for our neighbourhoods and get to know our neighbours better by helping them prepare their properties ahead of storms, rather than just pitching in after there’s damage,” Mr Adler said.
Emergency Management Queensland Director Frank Pagano said severe storms were a part of life in south-east Queensland during the warmer months.
“We should also be mindful there are an increasing number of new residents in the south east, who may not realise the impact of storm season,” he said.
“As a shared responsibility, we all need to take action to ensure we’ve done all we can to be prepared.”
NRMA Insurance and the Queensland SES provide these tips to prepare for storms:
- discuss an emergency plan with your household
get your roof checked for any damage or corrosion;
prepare an emergency kit with a torch, battery-operated radio, batteries, candles, bottled water and the SES emergency hotline – 132 500 - clear leaves and other debris from gutters, downpipes and drains so water can get away quickly;
- ask the council or energy company to check trees that may pose a threat to your property or powerlines;
- clear any loose debris, building materials or other items that can become airborne from your yard
- get shade sails and awnings professionally fitted to prevent them tearing off;
- check you have adequate home building and contents insurance.