Protect your homes, other properties before you travel – ODPEM

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is encouraging people intending to travel overseas, to first ensure that their properties are secure in the event of a hurricane.

The director of Preparedness and Emergency Management at the ODPEM, Horace Glaze says this is important to minimise potential losses.

He suggested that property owners create a checklist, especially when assessing whether their properties are susceptible to landslides and wind damage. 

Glaze says during the assessments home and business owners should check for any hazards that could affect the safety of roofs and windows.

Trees should be pruned to prevent structural damage in the event they fall.

Glaze also says people should use proper screws to affix their roofs instead of using concrete blocks and heavy stone.

He says concrete blocks and heavy stones could become hazardous especially to neighbours during strong winds.