Storm Otto has hit the UK bringing strong gales and rain to several parts of Scotland, with the Met Office warning the weather could pose a "danger to life".
This is because people could potentially be hit by items ripped up by the wind, with garden items such as sheds being particularly dangerous if they aren't secured. As well posing a risk of injury, it can also cause chaos for public transport if these things end up on train tracks, causing delays and disruption.
ScotRail has warned people to make sure their garden items are firmly held down, writing on Twitter: "With very windy weather on the way, if you live by the railway please secure your garden furniture and items such as trampolines, to avoid them blowing onto tracks and disrupting services."
According to Compare the Market, repair bills from storm damage can be really expensive, costing consumers an average amount of almost £3,500.
To help people save their gardens from becoming damaged and posing any dangers, garden experts at Power Sheds have revealed some checks you should do in the event of windy weather.
Jack Sutcliffe, co-founder of the Yorkshire-based shed manufacturer, shared his five tips to help avoid costly damage to your garden property.
He said: "Storms can wreak havoc on a garden if we’re not properly prepared for them. With wind speeds expected to get up to 100mph in some places, storms like this can represent a big danger to our gardens – especially the shed.
"Once a storm is in full swing it can be difficult, not to mention dangerous and often too late, to do running repairs. For this reason, we’d recommend getting prepared in the days before and minimising the risk of damage to your garden."
How to prevent storms from wreaking havoc on your garden
Seal any holes
Inspect the roof of your shed or garden building, floor any corners for holes and gaps that may have formed over time. If you find any, get them sealed up. Windows also need to be well sealed to stop any moisture getting in and to protect the shed from condensation.
Check the roof
The roof is one of the most exposed parts of the shed and the part that’s most liable to damage in the event of high winds. Before bad weather hits, check that all roof felt is still nailed down securely and replace any nails that may have come free.
Keep things contained
Make sure all your organic contents are well stored and sealed. Soil, seeds, pet food should all be stored in waterproof containers or bags in case of water ingress.
Tie down large objects or move to cover
Any large items, such as garden furniture, swings or trampolines, should be secured to the ground and/or moved into an area of the garden where they’ll have some sort of cover from the elements. This will save damage to both the objects and any property they may collide with.
Secure planters beforehand
During a storm, potted plants must be placed safely in the house, garage or shed. Planters that are too heavy should be moved close together and close to the wall to protect them from the elements. If you have very tall plants, try placing these on their side and interlocking them with others to protect them.
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