One of the most devastating natural disasters known to man is hurricanes. The relative ease with which thousands are rendered homeless every time a hurricane occurs is saddening.
While nothing can be done to stop the occurrence of these storms, steps can be taken to mitigate the effect of the disasters and to protect people and their homes.
Before a hurricane makes landfall, it’s likely that you would have been notified by the relevant agencies and news outlets. Which means you should be ready for the hurricane and ready to evacuate as soon as required.
A notice of evacuation tends to strike fear into the heart of a lot of people, however this doesn’t need to be the case. All you need is to follow these simple steps to prepare for a hurricane. Ready to go?
1. Have plenty of non-perishable foods, enough for each person to last several days.
It is not enough to evacuate, you must have a stock of non-perishable food that could last each person for a few days. While no one plans for it, people are often left without electricity or get stranded during evacuation. In order to stay alive you must have enough food that does not need to be cooked until power returns or help gets to you.
2. Have plenty of bottled (or stored) water, 1 gallon a day per person for several days.
You should have a stock of clean bottled or stored water with you as well. Regardless of what happens, you need to have water handy in case you will not have outside access to clean water during or after the hurricane.
After a hurricane warning, madness ensues in most stores leading people to empty the shelves. Avoid the crowds and invest in water storage containers which are a great alternative to bottled water.
3. Have emergency tools and supplies handy.
This includes (but is not limited to) a backup generator, emergency bag with clothes, shoes, cash, ID etc., portable gas range for heating up food and baby’s milk, extra tank of gas to fuel car, range, or generator, etc.
Preparation is key if you intend to survive a hurricane, and in most cases it is a race against time. To increase your chances and better your odds, it is preferable that you start your preparation ahead of time.
Keep stock of the supplies that are absolutely necessary. If you have a baby, you will need a portable gas range to heat up the milk.
Having a water-proof rucksack with your ID and other important documents as well as a change of clothes will also come in handy. And very important, don’t forget to pick up your medications at the pharmacy beforehand.
4. Have a stocked first-aid kit.
The unpredictability of natural disasters is something that makes the phenomena strike fear into the heart of even the most revered specialists. A hurricane could pick up speed in a matter of seconds and as such, you don’t want to be left unprepared.
Make sure to restock your first-aid kit or purchase a new one. This will give you some peace of mind when it comes to injury concerns.
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5. Have a stock of batteries and flashlights.
It is common to have a power outage during or after a hurricane. And for safety reasons you should be prepared for it. Have plenty of bright flashlights for the whole family and have enough batteries to power them as well as any other safety items.
6. Secure outside objects and remove all debris.
While hurricane shutters and impact windows can guarantee that the debris won’t make it into the house, you can’t say the same thing for your car or a passerby. During a hurricane, it is best that you secure all loose objects and remove any debris outside to address safety concerns on the rest of your property.
Bring in any outdoor plants, pots, patio furniture, decor, pet homes, and children’s toys. Secure playgrounds and trampolines. Dispose of any debris left over from projects like wood, metal scraps, glass, rocks, appliances, old tools, etc. Also, shield your car as much as possible as the typical wind during a hurricane can uproot a trees and cause branches to fall over.
7. Ensure all cell phones are fully charged and backup chargers are fully charged.
Leave no stone unturned. Take careful effort to ensure that all your cell phones and backup chargers are fully charged. Even if the reception is poor during a storm, you can still call the emergency number when things go wrong. In such situations, a call might be the difference between life and death. You don’t want to regret not charging your phone in such a situation.
8. Ensure your car has a full tank of fuel.
Fill up your tank with gas (or diesel) prior to the hurricane. In the case of evacuation or the need to travel during or after the hurricane, it is imperative that you have enough fuel to do so.
More than likely, you will not be able to stop to refuel during the storm or immediately after it has passed. Sometimes it takes days or even weeks for businesses to return to “normal” operations after a hurricane strikes.
9. Familiarize yourself with all evacuation routes near your home.
In the case of an evacuation, you don’t want to be driving aimlessly. Familiarized yourself with the evacuation points close to your home, so in the case of an evacuation you’ll be ready to go when prompted. You’ll be ready to deploy your shutters, lock up you home and drive off with all your necessary belongings.
10. Ensure your home meets building codes for withstanding hurricanes.
This includes hurricane accordion shutters, impact windows, impact doors, storm panels, etc.
One of the most important tips to follow when preparing for a hurricane is getting your house outfitted in hurricane protection. From shutters to impact windows and impact doors, your house should be ready to withstand a hurricane and protect you and your loved ones.
There are several benefits to getting hurricane shutters or impact windows for your home. One of the most important is protecting it against strong storms and hurricanes.
Your home is one of the largest investments you’ll make so it’s important to protect it. Having your windows and doors protected during a hurricane also helps to keep you and your family safe; windows and doors will remain intact while debris flies in the wind outside your home.
If you want peace of mind during hurricane season, click the button below to request a FREE estimate.
We’ll visit your home, take all necessary measurements and give you a quote on the spot for hurricane shutters or impact windows.
