Tag: lake home safety

How to Handle Inclement Weather at the Lake

Posted on Camille Smith
Photo courtesy of Steve Brimm via Lake Superior Magazine

In part due to climate change, extreme weather is increasing across the world. As a result, heavier rains and high winds directly affect freshwater systems. Since we spend a lot of time outdoors at the lake, it’s crucial to know what to do when encountering these extreme conditions. To make it easier, we compiled a few basic rules to help you stay safe in inclement weather at the lake.

Thunder and Lightning

Photo courtesy of Matt Hufstetler via Price County Review

According to the CDC, the optimal rule for this type of inclement weather is: “When thunder roars, go indoors!” It’s no wonder why. Where thunder is, lightning is not far behind, which is dangerous or even fatal. To protect yourself from thunder and lightning at the lake, keep the 30-30 rule in mind. If you see lightning, count to 30. If you hear thunder before reaching 30, go indoors and do not go back outside until 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder. 

Also, keep in mind that lightning is essentially a giant electrical blast in the sky. As such, it can travel through metal and electronic devices, and it’s best to avoid these materials during a storm. This also includes avoiding water since lightning can travel through plumbing.

High Winds

Photo courtesy of The Hartford

According to The Weather Channel, high winds are the biggest threat to boaters in lake areas. These winds create choppy waves that can easily overturn a boat or fill it with water. This can be especially detrimental if improper flotation devices are used. Be sure to check the weather ahead of time and avoid going out on the lake in high winds. If you do end up there, according to Boatus, “head into the waves at a slight angle, and reduce your speed. This will help you maintain control and avoid falling off of a wave or having a wave break over your stern.” Also, avoid large areas of open water as winds are likely to be stronger there. If you’re caught outside on the land, a good rule of thumb is to seek shelter next to a building.

Tornadoes

Photo courtesy of Espen Bierud on Unsplash

If your lake house is located in the southeast or midwest, chances are, you’re no stranger to tornadoes. These regions most commonly experience tornadoes, especially during the late spring and early summer. A common myth about tornadoes is that they cannot cross lakes or other bodies of water. However, this is simply false. Tornadoes can cross bodies of water, and they can also form on bodies of water — a phenomenon known as a “waterspout.” Tornadoes can also change directions at any time, so anticipating their specific route will not ensure safety. Seek shelter immediately during a tornado in an interior room on the lowest floor of your building.

Hurricanes

Image courtesy of Open Water Chicago via WBCKFM.com

Typically, we think of hurricanes as a form of inclement weather that only affects beach houses. However, hurricanes can still be an issue if you live on a lake in a coastal region. For example, in 1996, a dangerous hurricane hit the Great Lakes region. Although this is the only time a Category I hurricane has impacted the Great Lakes, it’s not entirely out of the question. If you find yourself facing a hurricane, be sure to avoid low-lying, flood-prone areas and instead seek higher ground. And of course, staying away from windows is critical due to the threat of glass breaking.

Snow and Hail

Image courtesy of WNEP.com

Although many forms of inclement weather take place in the spring and summer, there are certain conditions to watch out for during the winter months. To protect you and your lake home from the damage of snow, you can prepare your house by securing your pipes for the winter and owning a snow shovel and other tools. However, one often overlooked form of inclement weather is a hailstorm. They form when raindrops are carried upwards by thunderstorm drafts. 

According to the NOAA, hailstorms outnumber thunderstorms in the U.S. with a 5 to 1 ratio. At a lake house, the best thing to do is take cover. Another important thing to remember is that if you have a garage, use it! Vehicle damage is very common with hailstorms, as these heavy balls of ice can easily break through glass. For the same reason, stay away from windows in your lake house. 

From us at Lake Homes Realty, stay safe out there!

Essential Safety Items to Keep at Your Lake Home

Posted on Glenn S. Phillips

One of the priorities of owning a lake home should be to keep your property and your family safe.

Making safety a priority should be no different than owning or living in a landlocked home. But, because you’re living right on a lake, you’ll need to keep in mind that there are more risks. Especially if you have children.

Here’s a list of some of the most essential safety items that every lake home owner should have on hand:

  • First-Aid Kit – first aid safety kitIt’s surprising how many people don’t have first-aid kits accessible to them in their homes. A first-aid kit should be essential no matter where you live. It will allow you to treat injuries that aren’t severe enough to warrant a trip to the hospital. You can also use the items in your first-aid kit to help provide treatment before heading to the hospital or while waiting for an ambulance. If you have a boat, then you should have a first-aid kit on your boat as well. This is in case any injuries occur while out on the water.
  • Life Vests – Life vests: essential safety itemsLife vests are essential if you own a boat and go out onto the lake, whether occasionally, or on a regular basis.  Wearing a life vest isn’t about your capability as a swimmer.  Even if you are a good swimmer, wearing a life vest while on a boat is absolutely necessary. If you fall into the water (for whatever reason) and are unable to keep yourself afloat, a life vest will save your life. This can be in times where you are unconscious, tired, hurt, or cramping. Life vests are also an absolute must for any children in your family. Not only when they are out on the lake with you, but also while on the pier or by the water’s edge. Especially if your children are younger and have just recently learned how to swim.
  • Battery-Operated Radio – Having a battery-operated radio is a good idea not only as a way to entertain yourself while out on the lake, but also to keep you up-to-date on any weather warnings. This is important and could be useful if your power has gone out during a storm.
  • Battery-Operated Flashlight – Lake homes tend to be in more natural areas where there may not be as much street light as there would be in a suburban home. This means that having a flashlight is a must if you go outdoors at night and don’t have motion sensing exterior light fixtures. Not to mention that if the power goes out, you’ll definitely want a moveable light source when the sun sets.
  • Extra Batteries – There’s nothing more frustrating than having a radio and flashlight to use during a power outage, but no full batteries to use them. Make sure you’re stocked up on extra batteries.
  • Smoke Alarms – Every home should have smoke alarms to warn you and your family of fire. Make sure you have smoke alarms on every level of your house. Also, be sure to change the batteries every 6 months.
  • Carbon Monoxide Detectors – Like smoke alarms, you should also have carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home. Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas, representing a potentially deadly threat to home residents.  If carbon monoxide in your home has reached dangerous levels, you won’t realize it until it’s too late.
  • Exterior Lighting – Because it tends to get much darker around the lake than in the city, you should strongly consider investing in better exterior lighting. Consider path lights for your walkway and a motion sensing flood light for your garage area. Motion sensors are energy efficient since they only turn on when someone walks within range. Further meaning you can keep the outside area nice and dark when you’re trying to sleep, but well lit when walking to and from the home’s exterior.
  • List of Emergency Phone Numbers – emergency phone number list for safetyWrite down a detailed list of emergency phone numbers that include the police department, fire department, the hospital, a family doctor, your neighbors, and close friends and family. Speak with your children (if you have any) and instruct them on what to do. How to call, when to call, and which number to call for different emergencies. Make sure you keep the list in a visible and easily accessible location.

Nobody wants to think about danger or harm coming to their family or friends. Often times, we dismiss the possibility of emergencies with a that-wouldn’t-happen-to-me sort of attitude. These are all essential items that you should invest in and have at your lake house. These items will ensure the preparedness and safety of your family and property.

As Shakespeare’s Hamlet so dutifully noted, “the readiness is all.”