Are your prepared if this happens?
Are you prepared for hurricane season? Since hurricane season lasts through November 30th, here are some tips courtesy of Ready.gov to help you prepare your home and business to reduce the effects of these devastating storms.
Get an Emergency Supply Kit. The kit should include items like non-perishable food, water, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra flashlights and batteries. You may want to prepare a portable kit and keep it in your car in case you are told to evacuate.
Make a Family Emergency Plan. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to know how you will contact one another, how you will get back together and what you will do in case of an emergency. You should also consider evacuation plans, family communications, utility shut-off and safety and safety skills.
Prepare Your Business. Businesses have a critical role in preparedness. Putting a disaster plan in motion now will improve the likelihood that your company will survive and recover. Ready Business outlines commonsense measures business owners and managers can take to start getting ready.
Plan to Protect Property. Hurricanes cause heavy rains that can cause extensive flood damage in coastal and inland areas. Everyone is at risk and should consider flood insurance protection. Flood insurance is the only way to financially protect your property or business from flood damage.
In addition to insurance, you should also:
- Cover all of your home’s windows with pre-cut ply wood or hurricane shutters to protect your windows from high winds.
- Plan to bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down.
- Keep all trees and shrubs well trimmed so they are more wind resistant.
- Secure your home by closing shutters, and securing outdoor objects or bringing them inside.
- Turn off utilities as instructed. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.
- Turn off propane tanks.
- Install a generator for emergencies.
- Reinforce your garage doors; if wind enters a garage, it can cause dangerous and expensive structural damage.
- Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water.
- Find out how to keep food safe during and after and emergency by visiting www.FoodSafety.gov.
File your insurance claims as quickly as possible. If you do experience damage to your home, property or business, please contact your insurance company as soon as possible.
Have any questions or want to review your policy? Contact a Hood Hargett and Associates agent at (704) 374-1863.