What you need to know: How to protect your house in a storm

Strong winds brought down trees across the Whanganui region during last week's storm. Photo / Stuart Munro

With a major winter storm about to plunge the country into days of turbulent weather householders are being told to prepare well to keep life and property safe.

Householders are being urged to maintain their properties and take steps to avoid any extra damage to avoid the risk of insurance claims being rejected.

The Ministry of Civil Defence website says it's important to have a household emergency plan which allows you to look after yourself and family for at least three days.

Ways to get prepared include:

•Check roof, gutters and chimneys for blockages and cracks. Repair loose tiles to stop wind and rain damage.

•Prepare property for high winds, securing large heavy objects or removing anything that could become a deadly or damaging missile.

•Keep materials at hand for repairing windows, such as tarpaulins, boards and duct tape.

•Keep trees on your property regularly pruned and checked for rot and damage.

•Store drinking water in containers and fill bathtubs and sinks with water.

•Don't go outside and avoid driving unless absolutely necessary.

•Unplug any electrical items that are not being used to avoid damage.

•If farming know which paddocks are safe to move livestock away from floodwaters, landslides and powerlines.

•Keep aware of weather warnings.

Research company Canstar Blue said most people failed to review home insurance policies when they came up for renewal. This could mean they weren't covered for all situations.

"One of the problems people come up against is that they have not maintained their property to a sufficient standard and as a result, storm damage can be a lot more substantial. Many insurers will not cover this situation because at the end of the day, the damage may have been avoidable," said Canstar Blue general manger Jose George.

More information can be found at http://www.getthru.govt.nz/disasters/storms/