Hey El Paso, Spring is quickly approaching and with that comes the winds! There are some great ideas listed below to help make those windstorms a little less stressful!  

You’ve seen the way blockbuster movies present a windstorm (whether straight-line winds, tornado, or hurricane). The lesson from Hollywood? If you don’t own an underground storage cellar, you’re going to end up flying through the air and swallowed up by a big, dark cloud. But forget the silver screen – Paul Davis of East El Paso has seen the aftermath of real storms, right in our area. We’ve experienced the true-life heartbreaking stories…and have proudly helped families restore their property after they’ve thought there was no way to repair the damage. In the process of helping property owners recover after a windstorm, we’ve also learned about some other surprising lifesavers that can protect  El Pasoans and your property from your next windstorm. Here are 10 tips we hope can help you.

1. Your Door

Wind pressure can rip your home open at its weakest points. You may think the most likely points of damage are the windows, but doors are also vulnerable. Doors manufactured before 1994 aren’t usually rated for pressure. Consider replacing your exterior doors with newer models that are code approved for both wind pressure and debris impact. Have them installed to open outward rather than inward.

2. Wooden Furniture

A sturdy, solid piece of wooden furniture can be your best friend during a tornado or hurricane. As part of your emergency preparedness plan, think about which table, desk, or workbench you can easily move to the safest part of your house such as the bathroom or closet (make sure the furniture fits through the door). When you hide under this piece of furniture, you will have an extra shield against falling debris – including heavy pieces like roofing materials or tree branches.

3. Mulch

Gravel and rock are lovely choices for landscaping. But they can easily become deadly projectiles in high winds. They can break your windows and cause shrapnel-like damage to the human body. If you live in an area that is prone to windstorms, use materials like wood mulch instead of gravel in your flowerbeds. Choose to pave your driveway with concrete instead of pebbles.

4. Smokey the Bear

When most El Pasoans think of windstorms, they picture the tornadoes that are common in Midwestern states. But fires can also occur in conjunction with windstorms. This often happens when straight-line winds take down power lines that spark grass or brush fires. When you get a severe weather warning, make sure your fire safety and evacuation plan is up to date.

5. Trimmed Hedges

Speaking of power lines, you can decrease your risk of electric shock by making sure the city is doing its job. Anytime you see vegetation and trees growing into the utility lines near your home, give the city a call to report this unsafe condition. When they cut back vegetation, this reduces the risk that you will step outside after a windstorm and find that downed power lines are energizing the puddles of rainwater around your home.

6. Mask and Goggles

Do you live in an area where windstorms are laden with dust? You will need added protection if you absolutely must go outside to secure your belongings. Make sure you have dust masks on hand along with airtight goggles. These will help keep dust and sand out of your lungs and eyes. They can also be helpful when a tornado is on the way since high winds can carry other debris as well. Getting a splinter in your eye during a weather-related emergency makes a bad situation worse!

7. Duct Tape (Duck Tape)

Don’t laugh! This adhesive really is very useful during and after a windstorm. Securing windows with duct tape does little to improve protection from broken glass (boarding up your windows is ideal). But it can be helpful for other last minute safety adjustments since this tape is strong and waterproof. You could use it to help keep smaller items in place should the roof blow off during a hurricane or tornado. For example, you might tape extra emergency-preparedness supplies and tools to the underside of heavy pieces of furniture. Duct tape can also help prevent water leaks around windows and doors from wind driven rain. You can also use duct tape to secure blankets around windows and doors to help stay warm when the power goes out when a windstorm is accompanied by a blizzard.

8. A Whistle

If you get trapped under debris when structures collapse in a tornado or hurricane, blowing a whistle may save your life. The sound will travel farther than your voice with far less effort. A loud whistle can sometimes be heard through solid structures. A safety whistle will get the attention of rescuers faster and save you from losing your voice from shouting.

9. Waterproof Heavy Duty Flashlight

You can use a bright flashlight to signal rescuers in low light situations during pounding, wind-driven rain. Sound does not carry very well during extreme windy events, especially upwind in a rainstorm. If you sustain injuries that prevent you from speaking, flashing a light can draw attention to you when you need help most. Take a moment to learn SOS in Morse code if you don’t know it already (· · · — — — · · ·). Power may be out immediately after a windstorm. A reliable emergency light source will help you get around in the dark without injury. Keep in mind that a flashlight may require backup batteries to ensure longer life.

10. Air Purifier