Hurricane Preparedness: Five actions to take before a storm hits.
Hurricane Season begins on June 1st. Now is the best time to prepare yourself and your home for stormy weather. Here are 5 tips to take before stormy weather arrives.
1. Develop an evacuation plan:
You need an evacuation plan if you or your home resides in a hurricane zone. Begin planning now where you will go and how you will get there. You do not need to travel hundreds of miles. Your destination could be a friend or relative who lives in a well-built home outside flood-prone areas. Plan several routes. Be sure to account for your pets.
2. Assemble disaster supplies:
Whether you're evacuating or sheltering in place, you will need supplies to get through the storm and the potentially lengthy and unpleasant aftermath. Have enough non-perishable food, water, and medicine to last each person in your family a minimum of 3 days. Electricity and water could be out for weeks. You will need cash, a battery-powered radio, and flashlights. Also, consider a portable crank or solar-powered USB charger for your cell phones. And lastly, don't forget your pet's food and medicine!
3. Get an insurance checkup & document your possessions:Call your insurance agent and ask for an insurance checkup to ensure you have enough insurance to repair or replace your home and belongings. Remember, home and renters insurance doesn't cover flooding, so you'll need a separate policy. Flood insurance is available through your company, agent, or the National Flood Insurance Program at floodsmart.gov. Act now, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.
Take the time before hurricane season begins to document your possessions: photos, serial numbers, or anything else you may need to provide your insurance company when filing a claim.
4. Create a communication plan:
Take the time to write down your hurricane plan and share it with your family. Determine meeting places, and include an out-of-town location in case of evacuation. Create a paper copy of emergency contacts, and include utilities and other critical services — remember, the internet may not be accessible during or after a storm.
5. Strengthen Your Home:Improve your home’s ability to withstand hurricane impacts by trimming trees, installing storm shutters, accordion shutters, and/or impact glass. Seal outside wall openings. Did you know that the garage door is the most vulnerable part of the home, so it must withstand hurricane-force winds? Many retrofits are not as costly or time-consuming as you may think. Plan to purchase the proper plywood, steel, or aluminum panels to have on hand before the threat of a storm arises if you need to board up the windows and doors ahead of an approaching storm.
Do you need help preparing your home? Honesty Guard Homewatch is here to help!
📞 ✉️ CONTACT ME TODAY to discover how we can help you manage your non-rental seasonal home and discuss which of our service plans best suits you.
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