Storm preparation is an essential skill, no matter where you live. Hurricanes and tropical storms have become more frequent over time, and are likely to continue doing so.

Storm preparation may be especially important for you if you live in an area where extreme weather is common. These areas include the Gulf Coast of the United States and the Northeastern coast of the United States or Canada.

Keep reading, and we’ll give you 5 helpful tips for how to prepare for a storm and recover from damage.

1. Secure Your Windows

Heavy winds can hurl debris into your windows and expose your home to the elements. Hurricanes, tropical storms, and tornados all come with heavy winds. 

If you know that one of those storms is headed your way, you should board up your windows if possible. You can buy plywood boards at your local hardware store. 

You should look for wooden boards as soon as you find out about a storm, in case everyone else has the same idea you do. 

In case your boards don’t do the trick, make sure you know where to go for window glass repair.

2. Prepare for a Power Outage

Many types of weather events can cause power outages. In rural areas, this is especially common. 

You should be as prepared for a power outage as you can be. Make sure you have portable chargers, and that all your devices are fully charged prior to the start of a storm. 

If you can, your safest option is to have a power generator that you can use to power larger appliances. If you cannot purchase a generator, portable chargers are a good compromise. 

3. Protect Your Valuable Possessions 

Basements are often the first area of your home to sustain water damage during a storm. if you have valuable or sentimental items stored in your basement, you should move them to higher ground before a storm. 

If you don’t have a garage, you should also consider finding an area far away to park your car during the storm. 

Anything made of metal, wood, or paper is especially vulnerable to storm damage.

4. Stock up on Food and Supplies

Before a storm hits, you should always stock up on nonperishable food items. This means food items that can last a long time and do not need to be refrigerated. 

Canned goods are your best friend. They will take years to spoil, and you can often eat them without heating anything up. 

Even if a storm is only supposed to last for a few days, you should get some food that does not have to be refrigerated. Remember, you might lose power!

Don’t Skimp on Storm Preparation

Now that you have a few simple storm preparation tips under your belt, you can better protect your home from extreme weather. Next time you hear that a storm is coming your way, make sure you follow these storm preparedness tips. 

Remember this handy rhyme: it’s better to be overprepared than to be caught unawares!

For more tips for homeowners, check out the rest of our blog!

Even with the expanding technology, printing is not dead yet. 56% of typical consumers trust print advertisements more than online campaigns. Seven out of ten consumers in the US will likely purchase goods and services advertised through direct mail as it feels more personal.

What’s more, small businesses that incorporate print advertising with online campaigns usually generate the best response rates. Same to you, the success of your business most likely depends on digital printers.

However, besides setting a budget, you need to find the best local printing services. You want someone who guarantees quality consistency without breaking the budget. You also need a printer who aligns their goals and vision to your company’s.

Here are five insider tips on how to choose a printer.

1. Research Digital Printers in Your Area

Don’t make the mistake of picking one company randomly. They may not be what they portray on their homepage. Start your research by listing all local printing services in your area. Make a comparison list against their reputation, industry experience, costs, and availability.

This will give you a better insight into the company you’re about to do business with.

2. Choose a Company With a Proven Track Record

Extend your research to reading online reviews about the said company. You can also send inquiries to their mail to verify your research findings with what they have to say. Pay attention to small details, including their response rate and communication record.

After that, you can ask them about their successful projects. If possible, talk to past happy clients. All these will help you gauge the printer’s reputation.

3. What Are Their Stock and Printing Options?

When making inquiries, ask about the available stock and printing options. Check if these options apply to your business products. Remember, some businesses have limited options, which can stall your marketing campaigns in the future.

Reputable digital printers such as frontlineprint.com have a specific paper stock choice for every project. Whether it’s printing brochures or banners, you’ll find an option that matches your business’ value and aesthetic preferences.

4. Ask for Guarantees

Reputable digital printers stand by their products and services. They give guarantees because they are sure about nothing going wrong when doing business with you.

Inquire about satisfaction guarantee policies. This will tell you the next step to take if they deliver subpar work.

You should also inquire about any money-back guarantee. After that, go through the contract with your lawyer to ensure it covers all the guarantees discussed, especially if you’re in for a long-term business relationship.

5. Go for Affordable Options

The goal of every business is to keep its operating costs low. Cutting the costs of print marketing can help you achieve that. Choose a digital printer that offers relatively affordable rates without sacrificing quality.

However, one-time projects may attract fixed rates. If you’re in for an ongoing partnership, ensure you bargain for discounts on bulk orders. If you’re printing a large full-color project, opting for offset printing can also save you costs.

Local Printers Will Give You the Best Services

As you’re considering these tips, it’s imperative to shift your focus to local printing companies instead of online entities. Local digital printers offer personalized attention because you can access their physical offices anytime.

Moreover, local printing companies share the same ambitions as you; supporting the growth of the local business community. Read more digital print advertising tips from other articles on this site.

Need to make a big purchase but don’t want to overspend? Ditch your credit cards, which can rack up some pretty serious interest and encourage you to spend funds you don’t have. A debit card is a perfect solution — it’s the plastic version of cold hard cash, so you won’t spend more than you have in your checking account.

And when you apply for a debit card, you’ll be in good company. The Federal Reserve Bank of Francisco found debit cards to be the most used financial instruments, surpassing cash and credit cards.

But how are you supposed to open a new debit card? Below, you can learn everything you need to know about opening debit cards responsibly.

1. Choose Your Account

The first step is to choose an account that’s right for you. Now, you shouldn’t select the first account provider you stumble across. Your search should involve heavy research and a comparison of essential factors.

When you’re choosing a debit card, keep an eye out for these key determinants:

• ATM networks
• Fees
• Rewards and interest
• Mobile app capabilities

Some of these factors will matter to you more than others. For example, if you hardly use physical cash, you won’t have to worry about finding a debit card provider with many accessible ATMs in your area.

One non-negotiable factor is whether your account provides insurance from one of two agencies: the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). This insurance will keep your funds safe and reimburse you if your bank goes under.

2. Provide the Necessary Documentation

When you open a debit card, you’ll need to provide two forms of ID. Some acceptable forms of ID include:

• Driver’s license
• Social security card
• State identification card
• Passport
• Birth certificate

Debit cards have few other eligibility requirements, so you don’t have to worry about providing your credit score or other information.

3. Provide Your Initial Funds

Most banks will require you to supply a minimum opening deposit. These amounts can range from $25 to $100, but some require much higher amounts.

4. Open Your Account

Once you’ve found the right provider and have your ID and initial funds on hand, you can open your bank account. 

Many institutions will let you open your account online. However, small branches will require you to open a debit card account in person.

5. Request a Debit Card

Depending on the specific account you open, you may or may not receive a physical card. Some institutions will have you request the card.

If you get a virtual card (like the business ones from https://bentoforbusiness.com/features/virtual-debit-cards/), you won’t need a physical object at all. Instead, you’ll just have to set some time aside to learn how to use it.

At this point, you can load your card with funds via checks or cash. Before you can start spending the money on it, you’ll need to activate it and set up a PIN. You can often complete these steps through your online banking account or mobile app.

Using Debit Cards Responsibly

Using debit cards is a great way to manage your money. As long as you do your research before you open one and follow basic security tips (like choosing a not-obvious PIN), you’ll be in good shape.

For more financial tips, check out other articles on our site!

98 percent of basements in the U.S. will suffer water damage at least once in their lifetime.

A flooded basement is caused by a leak in the foundation, which can be caused by soggy ground around your home, or it could be due to faulty plumbing. It is, therefore, important that you check for water damage regularly near the base of your home.

If your basement flooded recently, here are some things you can do to mitigate damages and quickly deal with the issue:

Cut Off the Power Supply To the Basement

When you experience basement floods, the first thing to do is deal with safety matters.

Water in the basement is an electrical hazard for house occupants and should be eliminated immediately. If you can access the circuit breaker, turn off the supply. If you’re unable, call in an electrician immediately.

Any electronic component that has come into contact with water is risky to use. So, ensure that the electrician checks everything before you can restore the power supply.

Pump Out the Water

After you’ve ensured your safety, it’s time to focus on water removal.

You must remove as much excess water from the basement as possible. This will prevent mold growth and make any miscellaneous cleanup easier in the long run. If you don’t have a sump pump, call in an emergency plumber immediately.

Remove Damp Items From Your Basement

You should remove all damp items such as books and papers from the basement. These can be placed in plastic bags or other water-resistant containers.

Also, don’t forget to move valuable electronics to higher ground.

Wipe Away Dirt and Grime with a Wet Vacuum Cleaner

If you have a wet vacuum cleaner, use this equipment to lift away dirt and grime that may have accumulated on your flooring after the flooding incident.

Do not use any cleaning products while you are doing this because they could react with the water and cause additional damage to your belongings in the basement.

Begin Repairs Immediately After You’ve Pumped Out Water

If you’ve managed to remove excess water from the basement relatively quickly, then you should begin repairs for flood prevention.

If there are cracks in your foundation, seek an emergency foundation repair service immediately. This will prevent more water damage and other problems with your home’s structural integrity.

Call in Mold Removal Services There Is Mold in the Basement

If you see mold in your basement after a flooding incident, do not attempt to remove it. This is because mold remediation requires specialized equipment and techniques and could further damage your property.

You can call upon local cleaning and restoration services instead to mitigate potential damage and give your home back its former glory.

Call Your Home Warranty Provider

If your home warranty provider covers flooding incidents, be sure to get in touch with them immediately. You may have many things to worry about, but if you are insured for flooding damages, there’s no need to fret.

If this is news to you, kindly read this guide: Home Warranties: How Much & How to Choose.

Learn How To Deal With Flooded Basement

Flooding may be an aggravating occurrence, but you can take steps to limit damage in your home. If you’re proactive about the situation, you can quickly minimize any damage and get back on track with life.

We hope that this article will help you deal with a flooded basement. If you want to read more interesting content, keep browsing our blog.