Hurricanes are one of nature’s most powerful storms. They produce strong winds, storm surge flooding, and heavy rainfall that can lead to inland flooding, tornadoes, and rip currents according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
That’s why it is important to take preventive measures to secure you and your family during and after the storm. By planning you’re not only keeping your loved ones safe but also protecting your home and properties from potential damages.
Here are the 3 Ways to Prepare your Home for Hurricane Season
Secure windows and doors
A hurricane has maximum sustained surface winds of 74 mph or greater, thus, making your windows and doors vulnerable to strong winds. To protect your windows, doors, and skylights from breakage, install storm shutters. You can also nail pieces of plywood to your window frames before a storm approaches to help keep you safe from pieces of shattered glass.
Also, secure all your doors including the garage door. Make sure that your exterior doors can withstand the strong winds of a hurricane. Use three hinges and a deadbolt lock that is at least one inch long to board up your doors. Doing this will give you peace of mind that your windows and doors won’t be blown away by strong winds.
Clear the exterior
It is a fact that a hurricane contains high winds and can cause downed trees, flying debris, and damage to properties. That’s why it is important to make sure there’s nothing that could blow around during the storm and damage your home.
You can start clearing the yard by bringing all outside patio furniture, lawn ornaments, potted plants, and other materials inside your home or in a shelter to secure them. You can anchor objects that would be unsafe to bring inside, such as gas grills and propane tanks. Trim large trees and shrubs to remove the weak branches that could damage your home.
Backup power
When there is a hurricane, it is expected that there will be power outages and for that, you have to ready your backup power. First, charge up all of your electronics from power banks, rechargeable batteries, emergency lights, and other devices for backup. Then, when you see flooding and downed power lines, be sure to turn off your home’s power before electrical systems can become compromised to reduce the risk of electrical shocks.
Purchasing a generator is a great investment. It’s a great help because it can allow you to charge your devices or give you the option to run a fan or air conditioner for comfort.
These are just some of the many ways you can prepare your home for hurricane season.
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