Your Guide to Getting Ready for Hurricane Season

As hurricane season approaches in Florida and the surrounding areas, homeowners should take some steps to prepare, both inside and outside the home. Preparing for hurricane season doesn’t require a lot of time or expense if you plan out what needs to be done and start working on the plan a few months ahead of the season starting. Taking some simple steps to prepare both the inside and outside of the home can stop expensive damages from occurring and save you the hassle of having to coordinate repairs. Here are some basic steps you should take to protect your home and family in case of a hurricane, presented by Five Star Claims Adjusting.

INDOOR HOME PREPARATIONS AND PLANS

Every family living in an area where a storm might hit should make an emergency plan to be ready in case of a storm. This plan lays out where the family will evacuate to if needed, how to get in touch with each other and a meeting place in case family members are separated during the storm. It can also list important phone numbers and addresses of county offices or schools where you can access emergency resources.

Put together an emergency hurricane preparedness kit, which should include the following items:

• A bottled water supply that includes the equivalent of eight ounces for each family member
• Canned food items and a can opener
• A basic first aid kit, with band-aids, gauze, tourniquet supplies and peroxide
• Flashlights
• Candles and waterproof matches
• A crank or battery powered radio
• An extra supply of prescription medications
• Extra batteries for radios, flashlights and small electronics

OUTDOOR PREPARATIONS

Making sure that the outside of your home is ready for the storm is one of your responsibilities as a homeowner. Most of this is simply securing or removing any items that can cause damage to the home when high winds strike. A few of the items you should check on the exterior of the home include:

• Tree branches: trim any branches that look fragile or hang over the roof or windows of your home. These are the branches most likely to cause damage when the storm hits.
• Gutters: Secure your gutters to the home by checking to ensure that they are properly connected and able to withstand high winds.

If you want to purchase a generator to use in the days after a storm hits, make sure you have purchased and installed it before a storm hits. This will allow you time to test it and fix any issues before you really need to rely on it.  Remember to install the generator in an area that allows for sufficient ventilation.

If you have taken all the necessary precautions and your home still suffers storm damage, you may need to file a homeowners insurance claim. Five Star Claims Adjusting can help! Click hereto have one of our public adjusters review your case.