Owning property in Michigan, you learn quick about storms. The second you hear a forecast, start moving. Seriously, just bring everything that isn't nailed down into the garage or basement. For heavy stuff, use good tie-downs or push it right up against the house. Tarps help a little, but getting things inside is the only move that prevents real damage. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to my personal email
I learned this the hard way in home care. A client didn't bring in his patio chairs, and we spent the next morning chasing them down the street. Now I always tell people to just bring the lightweight stuff inside before a storm. Chairs and cushions go in the garage. You can tie down heavier things, but honestly, it's easier to just move it all. And definitely grab the umbrellas and planters. They go first. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to my personal email
When a storm's coming, bring the light stuff inside. I mean umbrellas, garden chairs, anything that can fly. I've seen a small chair go through a window before. Push heavier items against your house and secure them with rope or bungee cords. Honestly, I do this at my own place every time. Better safe than sorry. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to my personal email
If you can move it, bring it inside. For the stuff that's too big or heavy, use bungee cords and tie them to something solid. I've prepped dozens of properties for storms, and a good tarp weighed down properly saves you from a huge mess. Don't wait until the last minute, because that's when things get missed or broken. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to my personal email
When a big storm's coming, I bring all the light stuff, like small tables and chairs, inside. For the bigger items I can't move, furniture covers and extra tie-down straps work best. You should also check for loose cushions or decorations. Those things go flying and always create a bigger mess than you think they will. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to my personal email
Hi Martha, I’m Silvia Lupone, owner of Stingray Villa. I oversaw construction, furniture selection and guest operations for our oceanfront villa and handle the insurance and risk checks for the property, so I have hands-on experience preparing outdoor furnishings for storms. I can walk you through which items we bring indoors, how we secure remaining pieces, and the insurance and risk issues I review before bad weather. I can also share brief examples from Stingray Villa if that would help your story. Best, Silvia Lupone