Preparing Your Home for Climate Change-Driven Weather Events
With extreme weather events becoming more frequent and severe, safeguarding your home and your loved ones has never been more important.
Already in 2025, we’ve witnessed the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, and closer to home, the impact of a tornado in Mangawhai.
While these events may leave us feeling vulnerable, there are proactive steps you can take to protect your home and loved ones, and adapt to changing conditions. Here’s how.
Taking Steps to Protect your Home and Loved Ones against Potential Extreme Weather Events
1) Prioritise Home Maintenance
Regular maintenance keeps your home resilient against a range of weather extremes. When difficult weather is forecast, consider the following actions:
● Ensure roofing and cladding are secure and in good condition
● Remove debris from drains to prevent water build-up during heavy rain or fire risk during heatwaves
● Anchor outdoor items such as trampolines, furniture, and other outdoor structures to prevent wind damage or move away from the house when fire is a risk.
● Identify water flow paths on your property ahead of heavy rain, and keep them clear of obstructions like furniture or landscaping. Learn more here.
2) Home Adaptations - Protect Against Flooding and Storms
The types of weather risks your home faces often depends on your location and environment. For instance, homes in low-lying areas may need to focus on flood resilience, while those that experience hot, dry summer conditions may need to consider fire precautions. Understanding these risks is the first step toward effective preparation. Once you’ve identified the vulnerabilities specific to your area, consider these modifications:
Flood and Storm Resilience:
● Raise outdoor utilities like heat pumps, switchboards, and water tank pumps
● Replace solid fencing with designs that include gaps to allow water to flow through freely.
● Use gravel or grass instead of concrete to absorb rainfall
● Contour your property to direct water away from buildings without altering its natural flow
● Use durable, wind-resistant materials for roofing and cladding
Inside your home, simple changes can reduce damage:
● Raise cabinetry and install wall-hung shelves to keep items safe from water
● Install circuit breakers for lower-floor circuits to maintain electricity on upper levels during floods
● Elevate electrical outlets and data points to minimise water damage
● Install laundry appliances such as washing machines and dryers onto benches or wall brackets and raise kitchen appliances like ovens and microwaves to reduce the risk of flood damage
● Use flood resilient flooring options like tiles, stone or brushed concrete
Preparing Against the Risk of Outside Fires
Protect your home from the threat of wildfires with these measures:
● Keep grass short, watered, and green during summer
● Remove highly flammable plants near your home and replace them with fire-resistant species
● Clear gutters, decks, and outdoor areas of flammable debris like leaves, pine needles, and branches
● Bird nesting in tractor engines is a major cause of fires due to highly flammable nests, which birds can build in a short period of time. Inspect engine covers for nests before starting tractors.
Create Defensible Space:
● Put away outdoor furniture covers when not in use
● Prune tree branches to a height of 2m so ground fire can’t ignite them
● Store firewood 10m from the house or more
● Avoid storing flammable materials under or against your house or deck
● Maintain vegetation-free zones around your home, especially in fire-prone areas
● When building or renovating, consider using fire retardant or non-flammable materials, such as corrugated iron roofs, metal fences and double-glazing
● Refer to this FENZ wildfire guide for ways to maintain your home’s ‘envelope’
3) Build for the Future
When constructing or renovating, consider climate-resilient designs:
● Elevate homes in flood-prone areas
● Incorporate rainwater collection systems
● Use fire-resistant and wind-durable materials
● Choose landscaping that provides shade, absorbs rainfall, and reduces fire risks
Final Thoughts
While climate change poses significant challenges, taking proactive steps can make your home more resilient and help keep loved ones safe. Regular maintenance, adaptations to home design, and sustainable practices are key to protecting your home and family from extreme weather. Start small, prioritise upgrades based on your area’s risks, and build a future-ready home that stands strong against the elements.
If you'd like more information on the sorts of cover you can receive through insurance, get in touch with your adviser, or find one here.