With strong winds, heavy rain, and lightning, Indian monsoon represents a multi-faceted risk to both people and property. But with the right rainy season precautions, there’s plenty you can do to reduce the danger to you and your home.
Considering the number of cyclones that have hit India’s coast, people can expect heavy rains and flooding even in land-locked areas. Therefore, it’s important to prepare your home for the soon-to-arrive monsoon. Here are safety precautions to be taken during rainy season in India.
1. Keep a supply of candles and torches
Power cuts are common during bad weather, so having a back-up lighting source is one of the best rainy season precautions you can take. If you want relief from humidity, you can also buy rechargeable fans with electric light attached.
2. Close all windows and doors
It seems obvious, but it’s easy to miss one and not realise until it’s too late. So, double-check every window and door before the Indian monsoon arrives in earnest. And if your windows have shutters, close them too. When you keep everything closed, the chances of insects and animals making their way inside also reduces.
3. Don’t tape your windows
You might have heard that this will keep them from shattering in strong winds. But this is a myth that could increase the risk of creating larger, more dangerous shards of glass. Instead, when the rain and winds hit, use common sense and stay as far away from windows as you can.
4. Secure any loose items outside your home
Terrace furniture, garden tools, sun shades, bamboo chicks, and other loose objects can become dangerous projectiles in high winds and heavy rainfall. Move them indoors or tie them down before the winds gain momentum.
5. Park your car in a safe location
A covered parking spot or garage is an ideal location. But if you don’t have one, try to park your vehicle away from anything that might fall on it, especially trees. The same goes for your motorbike and scooter – secure them in as sheltered a spot as you can find. Also, when heavy rainfall hits, be careful not to drive and stay safe at home.
6. Check your drains
Drain pipes and gutters get blocked with leaves and grease – therefore, clear them if necessary. Blockages could cause water to enter your home. A wet terrace, balcony, or veranda can cause you to fall, especially when you step outside during the rainy season.
7. Don’t take any unnecessary risks
If you haven’t had time to take any of the above steps to safeguard your property before the rainy season hits, don’t. Protecting yourself is far more important, so stay safe at home until the rainfall passes. The one thing that you should do is close all your doors and windows so water doesn’t seep inside.
8. Take lightning strike precautions
If you’re hit by the worst of the Indian monsoon, unplugging any electrical items will reduce the risk of damage. And to minimise the risk to yourself, avoid touching anything that could conduct a lightning strike. That includes running water, landline telephones, concrete walls and floors, as well as any electronic equipment you’ve left plugged in.
9. Keep children away from floodwater
Floodwater is often toxic. So, never allow kids to play or, worse, swim in it.
10. After the rainfall, deal with any damage appropriately
Even after the rains have passed, you could still get injured by damaged objects. So, give things like walls, trees, electricity poles, and exposed wiring a wide berth until you’re sure they’re safe. Then, once you’ve taken photos of any damage to your property, give your home insurance provider a call to make a claim and arrange any professional repairs you might need.
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