With big storms can come big damage to your home. Whether you’re expecting heavy rains or a full-on hurricane, it’s important to make-sure your home is weather-ready. Below are 5 tips from Todd Hetherington, CEO of Century 21 New Millennium on storm-proofing your property.

Bring in all outdoor structures. “When lawn furniture or other outdoor debris gets loosened during a storm, they become dangerous and can harm your property by flying onto a car, or through a window,” Hetherington notes. From carports to outdoor furniture, dismantle and bring in any items or structures that could become dislodged during high winds.

Board the windows. “If a hurricane or tornado is forecasted, it may be in your best interest to board windows to avoid shattered glass and other damage,” suggests Hetherington.

Fill cracks. Before a storm hits, walk the perimeter of your house checking for cracks in the foundation, which can lead to flooding. “If you see any cracks or openings, look into getting it repaired before the weather goes bad,” says Hetherington.

Check the trees. “One major cause to home damage during storms is falling tree branches,” says Hetherington. Before a storm, walk your property and look for any unhealthy-looking or dead tree limbs that could fall onto your residence or car. Remove the branches yourself or call your local arborist for help.

Of course, in addition to preparing your home, you should also prepare for optimum survival – batteries, non-perishable goods and water are storm essentials.

For more real estate information, please contact Century 21 New Millennium at move@c21nm.com, 800-382-1101, or Century 21 New Millennium.

About CENTURY 21® New Millennium CENTURY 21 New Millennium, www.c21nm.com, is a full service real estate brokerage company specializing in residential and luxury properties. In addition to the Capitol Hill location in Washington, D.C., the Virginia locations are in Alexandria, Centreville, Culpeper, Fredericksburg, Gainesville, Loudoun, McLean, Stafford, and Woodbridge. The Maryland offices are located in Annapolis, Columbia, La Plata, Lexington Park, Lusby, Prince Frederick and Waldorf. Its core services include: mortgage financing, investing, settlement, property management, property insurance, global relocation assistance, and commercial real estate.