How to Secure Your Outdoor Furniture in Severe Weather

8/4/2021 (Permalink)

Ensure the protection of your valuable outdoor property by taking these steps.

Finally, the weather is warming up and Ohioans are itching to get outside and use their outdoor furniture. But with warmer weather comes severe storms. Storms notorious for blowing away your furniture.

So how can Ohioans secure and protect their outdoor furniture? 

This is a great question since tornado season starts in April. 

Check out these five simple steps to keep your outdoor furniture where it should be.

Store it 

Seat cushions, pillows, plastic lawn chairs, and potted and hanging plants can blow away. Bring those light-weight and fragile objects inside your garage or home. 

If you have an outdoor umbrella, close and secure it. If you can’t bring it inside, make sure the umbrella has a heavy base and is firmly anchored. If it’s loose in the base, lay it on the ground in a safe place.

Cover it

Outdoor furniture covers come in many sizes and are great for wood and wicker patio furniture. Most hardware and big box stores carry durable weather-resistant covers. Find covers that fit your furniture. Invest in rope, bungee cords, ratchet straps, or even chains to hold the covers in place. 

If you don’t have furniture covers, and you need something quick, a tarp will get the job done. 

The best part about furniture covers is they keep your furniture dry and clean. Simply remove the covers and get back to relaxing!

Weigh it down

If your patio furniture is light, and you can’t bring it inside, the next best thing is to weigh it down. Sandbags can be helpful. Pile sandbags on your umbrella base. Stack light-weight chairs and top them with a sandbag. 

You can even use sandbags to hold down your furniture covers. 

Trim it

These last two tips take a bit of forethought but are important. Inspect your trees and shrubs for low-hanging or dead limbs. Especially limbs near your home. In a strong storm, these limbs can fall and damage your outdoor furniture, your home, and your vehicle.

Pro tip: add trimming dead limbs to your regular lawn maintenance to prevent future damage. 

Plant it

Plant a windbreak -- a row of trees or shrubs that blocks wind. They not only protect your property, they also provide privacy and look beautiful. From small shrubs to tall pines, you can find the perfect plants to fit your needs. 

Follow these 5 easy steps, and you’ll get years of use out of your outdoor furniture.