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The arrival of warmer weather comes with more sunshine and rainy days nationwide. As the weather gets pleasantly warm, you should prepare for summer rain to begin. Spring and Summer are known for afternoon thunderstorms that don’t linger for longer than needed.

However, you should expect drenching storms that can lead to unwanted damage to your property and roads. According to AgriSA, seasonal climate watch from September to January next year will likely record above-normal rainfall. Read on to discover essential rainy season recap tips that iER has compiled for your safety this season.

Tips to Keep You Safe During the Rainy Season

Keep an Eye on the Weather Forecast

First things first, you should always keep track of weather changes. There are unexpected weather changes that frequently occur during warmer seasons. It’s common to start the day with clear and sunny skies, then experience extreme changes with thunderstorms and heavy rains in the afternoons.

Keeping an eye on the weather forecast can provide accurate predictions that help you prepare for severe weather. Being able to plan your day accordingly can reduce unwanted inconvenience. Most importantly, it can help save your life should floods and related weather conditions occur within your region.

Choose the Right Route

One of the benefits of checking the weather forecast before leaving the house is planning the route to take should extreme changes occur. An action planning process can help identify risks. Access to an early warning system can improve your safety and protection of your assets.

Protect Your Home

Seasonal hail and rainfall are some of the leading causes of water damage experienced by South African homeowners. Most people submit building or home insurance claims around this time of the year. It’s crucial to remember that proper inspections and maintenance can ensure your home withstands the effects of bad weather.

If your home survived the last rainy season, it doesn’t mean you should avoid necessary inspections and maintenance during this period. You can prevent potentially costly damage if you proactively protect your home. These are recommended tips to consider:

• Inspect the roof to ensure that the tiles haven’t shifted or deteriorated. Other things to look out for are potential cracks that can lead to leaking.
• If you haven’t cleared your gutters, you should consider doing so to remove any leaves and debris that can cause blockages on rainy days.
• If your doors and windows have wooden frames, it’s essential to look for cracks that can cause water to leak into your home.
• Assess if structures like trees or poles can become loose due to pressure from strong winds. In most cases, winds can lead to severe damage to your property.
• Identify additional safety risks that can make you vulnerable to flood damage. For instance, do repairs around the house to prevent leakages and check if your drainage system requires maintenance.

Service Your Car

There is an increased risk of accidents during the rainy season. Not only do you face challenges with low visibility, but you should refrain from driving in flooded areas. Staying safe on the road should be your main priority.
While you don’t have to service your car at the threat of heavy rainfall all the time, you should consider these seasonal car care tips to help you navigate driving when it’s raining:

• Clean your mirrors and windshield to improve visibility while driving
• Ensure your lights are working properly before you drive anywhere.
• Wet and slippery roads increase the risk of car accidents. Always check your tire thread.
• Check if your car battery needs to be changed because wet weather can require additional power from your battery to maintain a smoother drive.
• Do a detailed inspection of your brakes, leaks, and the underbody of your car to see if any maintenance is required that can put your life in danger while driving on a rainy day.

In summary, the upcoming rainy season requires planning to avoid devastating and costly damage that can impact your property and personal safety. Floods and hailstorms have become common as climate changes affect weather patterns globally. Following these rainy season recap tips can help prepare you for the worst.

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