With hurricane season upon us, it’s time to be prepared. Here are some tips on how to prepare your home and family for a hurricane:
- Check your roof’s shingles or tiles. A strong wind gust could send debris flying onto your roof and potentially cause structural damage. If any shingles or tiles are loose or cracked, they should be replaced immediately so they don’t fall off during a storm.
- Get an emergency kit together. Keep one in your car at all times and another at home with enough supplies to last 72 hours without electricity or running water.
- Stay informed. Use your local news stations or apps like Weather Underground to keep an eye on the weather and track any tropical storms or hurricanes that may be heading your way.
- Have a plan. Make sure everyone in your family knows what to do if there is an evacuation order or if you need to shelter in place.
- Get supplies. Stock up on water, food and other items before the storm hits. Be sure you have enough medicine and medical supplies on hand as well. And don’t forget about your pets! You’ll also want to have batteries, flashlights and candles on hand in case of power outages.
- Make sure your refrigerator and freezer are plugged into a surge protector so that they don’t lose power during a storm. If you don’t have one, buy one now. You should also keep an eye on the temperature inside your fridge and freezer; if things start getting warm inside, make sure you move your food items into a cooler or another room with air conditioning.
- If you plan on evacuating due to severe weather conditions or flooding, make sure that all of your important documents — including copies of birth certificates, insurance policies and passports — are stored in a waterproof container or safe place.
