The rains are here again in Accra and unfortunately, they have wreaked a lot more havoc taking away lives and properties. Ghana is a country located in the tropics where we experience two main weather seasons – the wet and the dry and with extreme rains in June and September. A lot of homeowners get apprehensive when there are floods because of the kind of investment they have made. But what are some of the precautionary measures that should be taken during this period? Here are a number of tips:
1. Repair your roof
The roof is the first part of the house that you should check. If you have a roof that is leaking, ensure it is fixed before the rains find their way into your room. Watch out for cracks or broken tiles on the roof or in the
ridges.
2. Check your electrical fittings
If the roofs are leaking and there are bad electrical fittings or naked wires, ensure you have them covered by an electrician before they cause a fire outbreak in your home. To reduce electrical shocks and fire
outbreaks this season, ensure that electrical fittings in your homes are functioning properly. When you are leaving your home and there are signs of an approaching storm, ensure that all electrical appliances have been turned off.
3. Fix broken ceilings and windows
Ensure that your windows and roofs are not broken during the rainy season. Just like your roof, ensure all broken ceilings and windows are properly fixed to prevent any damage. Contact a professional if the job is too
difficult for you to do yourself. Applying a fresh coat of paint to the property prevents molds from appearing on them.
4. Gutters
One major cause of floods in most neighborhoods in Accra is a result of choked gutters and culverts. Clearing choked gutters to allow the free flow of water in your drainage system will prevent any floods from occurring. Clearing the drainage also prevents pools of water from forming near your home. Pools of water encourage the breeding of mosquitoes, which may increase risk of malaria infection. It is important to clear all bushes growing around your house; clear them to prevent reptiles from invading your property.
5. Furniture and flooring
Protect all furniture or floor made from wood especially now during the rainy season. Rainwater on furniture will cause it to grow moldy. Move furniture away from windows to prevent rainwater from damaging them. Fix the floor if your wooden floor is old and leaking.