Top 4 Disastrous Family Reunion Mistakes

Summer is the quintessential time to kick back and relax with the people you love, which is probably why so many of us are busy planning family reunions this time of year!

In your haste to meet your cousin’s new wife or reconnect with your beloved grandma, you may forget how important it is to find a location that accommodates everyone from Great-Aunt Margaret to your infant nephew. As families grow bigger, logistics also become more complicated. You need to ensure that no unfortunate surprises ruin your joyous gathering.

At Paul Davis Restoration & Emergency Services of Woodbury your family’s safety is our number one priority. We’ve put together a list of the top four disastrous family reunion scenarios—including thunderstorms and heat waves—and how to plan ahead, just in case!

1. The weatherman promised thunderstorms for the afternoon of your reunion at the lake, but the skies look clear that morning. Don’t be so fast to shrug it off. Thunderstorm prediction is actually quite accurate, so while the      skies may be blue in the morning, you risk being caught in a dangerous storm if you don’t change your plans—Woodbury residents know how quickly thunderstorms can form! The safer bet? If thunderstorms are on the forecast, move the party to an indoor location or postpone it.
2. There’s nothing better than spending a beautiful day outside with those you love!  But as Twin Cities residents know, heat waves can quickly turn any outdoor activity into a dangerous one. Your reunion’s guests could be at risk for dehydration and potentially-fatal heat strokes if you try to enjoy the beautiful outdoors during a heat wave. Instead, move the party to an indoor location that’s air conditioned to keep your family members safe.

1. If you haven’t used your deck much this spring, make sure to give it a good inspection before hosting the family reunion on it. Otherwise, you may wind up with your rotting deck collapsing underneath your guests! Wood tends to rot in wet and snowy conditions, so even though we had a mild winter in the Twin Cities area, test your deck for warped or discolored wood, or soft spots that give under pressure. If you see any of these signs, call in a professional to replace the wood before your family gathers out back!
2. Perhaps your family chose your vacation home to take advantage of your sparkling pool or nearby lake. While they can provide hours of family-friendly entertainment, swimming pools and lakes can be deadly for children and adults alike. It falls to you to protect your guests—once your reunion is underway, make sure there is always significant supervision around and keep horseplay at a minimum to help avoid dangerous situations. Keep a careful eye on those who cannot swim, and consider hiring a professional lifeguard or babysitter as an additional set of eyes.

We proudly serve Woodbury and the surrounding metro area.

         Woodbury - pdeswoodbury.com

         Bloomington - pdesbloomington.com

         Lakeville / Scott County - pdesscottcounty.com   

         Wayzata - pdeswayzata.com

         St. Paul - restorationstpaul.com