Hurricane season is in full swing, and taking proactive steps to safeguard your home and business is more important than ever. Following a hurricane preparedness plan can reduce the risk of damage to your property and ensure the safety of your loved ones and assets. Below, we will discuss actionable steps that you can take to protect your property from hurricanes and provide essential hurricane safety tips.
1. Come up with a Hurricane Preparation Checklist
Step number one in preparing for a hurricane is to create a detailed hurricane preparation checklist. This checklist should cover all critical tasks that need to be done before a hurricane strikes. A few key items to consider are:
- Plan to Evacuate Safely: If it is advised that you need to evacuate, ensure that you know where you are going, how you will get there, and where you will stay.
- Secure Loose Items: Bring in or secure any outdoor furniture, decorations, and equipment. In high winds, these items can become dangerous projectiles.
- Trim Your Trees and Shrubs: While this should be done regularly, it is essential to trim any trees and shrubs as any overhanging branches could break off and damage your property if a hurricane occurs.
- Inspect Your Windows: Ensure that your windows are properly sealed. For added protection, install shutters or sheeting.
2. Secure Your Home’s Exterior
High winds and flying debris during a hurricane can cause significant damage to your property. Protecting your home from hurricanes begins with securing the exterior of your home. Take the following steps to help minimize the risk:
- Install Storm Shutters: Shutters provide an extra layer of defense for your windows and even doors. If storm shutters are not available, sheeting and plywood are other options.
- Reinforce Garage Doors: Bring in or secure any outdoor furniture, decorations, or equipment. These items can become dangerous projectiles in high winds.
- Trim Your Trees and Shrubs: While this should be done regularly, it is essential to trim any trees and shrubs as any overhanging branches could break off and damage your property if a hurricane occurs.
- Inspect Your Windows: Ensure that your windows are properly sealed.
- Reinforce Garage Doors: Garage doors are particularly vulnerable during hurricanes. Reinforce them with a bracing kit to prevent them from being blown in by strong winds.
- Strengthen Your Roof: If you live in an area that is prone to hurricanes, consider upgrading to your roof with hurricane straps or clips that secure the roof to the walls of your home.
3. Prepare Your Property for Flooding
Flooding can occur as an effect of a hurricane and is very common. Being prepared for a flood and taking precautions is essential for hurricane readiness for homeowners.
- Elevate Important Items: Any valuable items, electronics, and important documents need to be placed in higher levels in your home.
- Seal Cracks and Openings: Look at your home’s foundation, windows, and doors for any cracks or openings that could allow water to enter. Use either caulk or weatherstripping to seal them to ensure no water will enter.
- Install a Sump Pump: A sump pump can be helpful in removing water from your basement or crawl space, in the event of flooding. Check that your sump pump is working and it would be good to have an extra battery on hand.
4. Build an Emergency Kit
One of the best hurricane season safety tips is to have an emergency kit in the event or a hurricane, or any other disaster. Your kit should include:
- Essential Supplies: Non-perishable food, bottled water, medications, and personal hygiene items for at least three days.
- First Aid Kit: Make sure that your first aid kit has plenty of bandages, antiseptics, and any necessary prescription medications.
- Battery-Powered Devices: Have a flashlight, battery-powered radio, and extra batteries on hand so that you are able to stay informed and can navigate any power outages.
5. Review Your Insurance Coverage
Finally, reviewing your insurance coverage is critical to your pre-hurricane property checklist. Ensure that your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy is current and provides adequate coverage for hurricane-related damage. Consider adding flood insurance, as standard policies typically do not cover flooding.
Final Thoughts
Preparing your property for hurricane season is not just about securing your home but also ensuring the safety and well-being of your loved ones. By following this hurricane preparation checklist and implementing these hurricane season safety tips, you can face the storm more confidently. Early preparation is vital to minimizing damage and protecting your home from hurricanes. Don’t wait until the last minute—start your hurricane readiness today.