What You May Not Be Thinking About When You Prepare Your Home for a Hurricane

Hurricane season started June 1 and last till November, which means almost half a year of the possibility of a hurricane making landfall.

Before the next hurricane makes landfall, you’ll likely go through common checklists from the National Weather Services and FEMA. While those are necessary, there are some things that you may not see on those lists that are also important to do.

Call Your Insurance Company

You never know what could happen, and you want to make sure that you’ll be covered if damage results from the storm. Ask your insurance company what your policy covers. If you see any gaps, ask how much more money it would be to get covered for those situations.

You will thank yourself for doing this if you end up with damage that is covered by your policy. It can save you thousands upon thousands of dollars in repairs.

Remove Valuables from Your Home

You might have to evacuate and when that happens, you leave everything behind — including your valuables. Before the storm strikes, gather your most precious valuables and see if you can have them put somewhere else.

Many people get a safety deposit box at their bank to place valuables in. Others will buy a safe that will be able to withstand anything that happens outside of it. Choose what makes you feel most comfortable in keeping your important belongings safe.

Get a Home Inspection

The purpose of a home inspection is to find out if you have any areas in your home that may not be able to take the beatings of a storm. With the information from the inspector, you can make repairs that may end up making that area strong and resistant to high winds, hail and heavy downpours.

This can be done at any time throughout the year. Some people get one done every year, while others get one every two years or more. You can always make June the month that you get an inspection or review the structures of your home for signs of weakness.

Purchase Pet Food for Your Furry Friends

Many people run out to the grocery stores for bread, milk and gallons of water, but there are many who don’t think about getting pet food. This can be devastating for pet owners when the electricity goes out and there may be no way to get to a store that is open.

Be sure to stock up on at least a week’s worth of pet food for your furry family members. You may even want to buy extra in case a neighbor forgets.

Ensure Electronic Devices Are Charged

Insurance companies want proof of damage immediately after the storm. You can give them that by having your camera, smartphone or video recorder ready to go. You don’t know how long you’ll be without power, so having those devices accessible and functional will make it much easier for you when you start to pick up the pieces.

Follow Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips

Many people flip on the generator as soon as they lose power. While it’s a great way to continue using the modern conveniences of electricity, it can be dangerous because of the carbon monoxide (CO) it emits. Be sure to seek medical attention if you start to have experience headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and/or confusion.

Install and check your CO detector before a storm. Also, be sure to keep your generator at least 20 feet away from your home. For more tips, read the Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning Prevention tips on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Request Second Home Inspection When Buying a Home

For those buying a home, it might be a good idea to request a second home inspection following a hurricane. While there may not be any visible damage, there could have been structural damages that are not as obvious. You’ll feel much better if you get the home reviewed once again before finalizing the purchase.

Add These Items to Your Hurricane Preparedness Checklist Today

The preparations you make now for a storm that happens later can have a huge impact on how quickly you regain your home and possessions.

Take time to ensure your house is ready for hurricane season by following these suggestions. You will thank yourself after you see the devastation a category 4 or 5 hurricane can have on a house.