Living in a Hurricane-Prone Area? Essential Steps You Need to Take

When you get word that a hurricane is about to hit, you might be scrambling to try to get out of your home. Unfortunately, many people lose their homes and personal belongings in hurricanes, so leaving specific items in the home or not protecting your house well enough can really do some serious damage.

If you live in a hurricane-prone area, it’s important to take the time to make sure you’re fully prepared to evacuate. Here are some crucial things that need to be done in preparation for hurricanes.

First, you need to make a plan. Making a plan is always a good idea because it can help you stay on track and get organized. You can use this to figure out who was going to go where, what you’re going to do with your pets, how much food you’re going to need to take with you, and figure out exactly what needs to be packed in your vehicle. You might think this is a waste of time, but it’s actually extremely important. In times of crisis, your mind often wanders a million different places. If you were to forget something that you knew you needed but totally forgot about, it could be gone forever.

You also need to protect your house. Installing things like hurricane impact doors and hurricane proof windows can really help protect your house. Hurricane Irma damaged 90% of the buildings on Barbuda, making 60% of the population homeless, so it’s important to do whatever you can to prevent that from happening to you. Especially in areas of impact, these hurricane impact doors and other household protectors are needed to resist against the wind and rain. Purchasing things like hurricane impact doors, impact resistant windows, glass door systems, and high impact glass can protect both your peace of mind and your home.

One thing you might not even think about doing is taking stock of any household chemicals you may own. Things like bleach, drain cleaners, or ammonia are extremely dangerous if not used properly. In a hurricane, the containers holding these chemicals can be destroyed and cause some serious issues for anyone who comes in their path. Make sure all of their lids are completely closed that these products are completely removed from your home.

Preparing for a hurricane can be a lot of work. It can also be an extremely stressful time. Take a look at the suggestions list above for a smoother process and to help make sure you have everything you’re going to need.