Seven things you should do NOW on garden checklist before Storm Eowyn hits with red warnings issued for 200kph winds

IRISH people are being warned to take a number of precautions before the country is battered by powerful Storm Eowyn.

The dangerous system is due to make landfall on Friday.

Getty Images – Getty

Getty Images – Getty

Met Eireann

A total of 22 counties are now under red wind and rain warning.

Nine counties will face a status red wind warning at varying times as the storm moves up the western coast.

Cork, Kerry and Limerick all stand under a status red wind warning from 2am Friday to 10am.

Clare and Galway are under the same warning from 3am to 12 noon.

Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo are under the red alert from 4am to 12 noon and Donegal from 6am to 3pm.

And another 13 counties – Cavan, Monaghan, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, Roscommon and Tipperary – are under the red wind alert from 6am until 12pm.

And homeeowners can start to get ready now before Eowyn arrives.

While videos of trampolines flying through the sky can be funny, it can cause huge risks – from injuries to the destruction of property.

1. SECURE GARDEN TOYS AND DECORATIONS

Those with a trampoline in the garden should ensure it is tied down.

To do this, you can pick up some hooks used to tie tents down into the ground, and use ropes to do this.

You can also tie them with bungee cords or sandbags.

This also applies to any garden decorations and furniture.

Any loose garden toys should be put into the shed or pulled inside to avoid them flying away.

2. SECURE FRAGILE POTS

Any pots that could be lifted up by strong winds should be taken inside or put into a shed.

If that’s not possible, move them all together into one place and water them before the storm to make them heavier.

Keep them away from any windows to ensure they don’t smash the glass if they do happen to lift with the wind.

Hanging baskets and bird feeders should also be taken down in preparation.

3. CHECK YOUR SHED

Ensure the windows and doors of the shed are locked.

If there is already damage to the shed, make sure it is fixed before the storm if possible.

If there are any holes in the roof, rain may leak in and then cause more issues inside.

You should also secure all windows and doors on both your shed and home to avoid banging noises throughout the night.

4. TO SAVE YOUR PLANTS

If you have just planted some trees or plants, you should stake them using a small structure to support them.

Or, you can also tie them to avoid damage.

More mature trees should also be trimmed to remove any damaged or dead limbs which could fall off and cause damage.

To make sure plants have the highest chance of survival through the storm, it’s best to prune them before the storm,

For flower beds, you can cover them with tarp to improve the chance of surviving the storm.

5. SECURE YOUR BINS

Bins can cause huge damage if the wind manages to pick them up.

To avoid this (and ensure you don’t wake up to rubbish strewn across the garden) you can bring them inside or fasten them down with bungee cords.

If leaving it in the garden with bungee cords, try to put something heavy on top of the lid to avoid the lid opening and rubbish flying everywhere.

Or, you can use specific locks or straps to keep the lid closed.

6. CLEAN YOUR DRAINS AND GUTTERS

In preparation for heavy rain, you should clear your gutters and drains.

This is important to avoid flooding as the rain has no where to drain to.

It will also prevent rotting which may happen if the water remains there for a period of time.

7. FEED THE BIRDS

During storms, birds may not be able to find food.

Ensure you keep the bird feeders out, and also put out ground feeding trays in an open and visible location.

Getty Images – Getty

Met Eireann