10 Ways You Can Safeguard Your Property During Florida Hurricane Season

Hey there, Florida homeowners! Everyone is aware that Florida is a land of some adventures, but this also means that everyone has to prepare for hurricanes. I’m not going to let the big one get the best of us though; take a look at 10 basic steps to safeguard your home and your property.

Make Roof and Balconies Safe

Mainly, shingles and balconies can be compared to a hat and other parts of clothing – you don’t want them to fly away, do you? For your roof, it is recommended that you install hurricane straps or clips designed to anchor it properly. It definitely goes a long way, helping to drastically minimize the chances of your roof suddenly taking flight during a windy day.

However, balconies are not exempted, and they deserve some special touch and care. Get a DBPR HR-7020 inspection to check on your balcony rails and pillars. Ensure their strength and proper fastening to the main part of the building. Take down anything that may become a missile during winds – and while you might say that’s not possible, that set of patio chairs you left out during spring might be considered a missile during hurricane-force winds.

Also, you can hire concrete restoration contractors and restore any damaged or shady concrete structure around the roof and balcones for full-proof security.

Thus, by securing both your roof and balconies, your house is receiving additional protection against the storm. Giving your house the helmet and locking the pockets of the house – makes everything remain where they are intended to be when the hurricane winds blow.

Put in Impact Windows and Doors

This is a game-changer: impact windows doors. These resolute cookies are intended for hurricane gusts and airborne objects. Other than providing protection all year round, they also play a special role in ensuring that energy bills are not high. Also, you will not have fresh efforts to put on shutters whenever a storm averted your home. It’s a win-win!

Invest in Storm Shutters

If impact windows are not within your ability at the moment, the next best thing is storm shutters. They are of different types; the louvers that fold either upwards or downwards, across your window and the accordion shutters which can be easily reeled to the side of the window.

These bad boys can cover the big openings such as sliding glass doors and the picture windows, and they can assure you are safe when there is a storm.

Trim Those Trees

Do not let your beautiful trees and beautiful landscape designs lead to disasters. Mow the grass, cut weeds, and prune trees and shrubs within the compound or around your property before the hurricanes are most active. Those branches may seem relatively benign at the moment, but do not be surprised when they transform into flying missiles during hurricane-strength torrents!

Clear the Clutter

Look around your yard and make a note of all you can see. Do you remember that set of old patio chairs, the potted plants, or even that summer-loving gnome? In a hurricane, they can all become flying dangers. When there is an incoming storm, take small objects inside and also tie or rearrange the furniture that is outside. Pro tip: If one has a pool, it is safe to immerse waterproof items in the pool to keep it safe.

Seal It Up

In this case, water always has a cunning nature of penetrating into your home especially during a storm. Fight this by sealing any gaps at the windows and doors. Doing it yourself is very simple, and can spare you lots of trouble from water leakage at the later date.

Don’t Forget the Garage

Factually, your garage door is perhaps one of the most exposed parts of your house in case a hurricane hits. It may also be advisable to fit a garage door brace to make it more stable in those strong winds.

Create a Home Inventory

This is not about protection during the storm, but it is very important after the storm. Send digital copies of your items by shooting them through a camera and saving the photos or videos (preferably in the cloud). Should you ever need to file for an insurance claim later on, you will be ever grateful you did it like this.

Check Your Insurance Coverage

Now, regarding the insurance that will come in handy, ensure that the wind and flood damage is included. Homeowner insurance often excludes flood insurance, so you may be required to purchase flood insurance on your own. Better safe than sorry!

Be Prepared with the Help of a Disaster Supply Kit

Finally, create a disaster supply kit. A disaster supply kit should include flashlights, battery-powered or hand crank radio, first aid supplies, cash, and critical medications, manual can opener, infant formula, and bottled water, important documents, clothing and blankets, food, personalized items, tools, and miscellaneous items, which should contain such items as canned food, water, batteries, torch, a battery operated radio, and any prescribed drugs.

 Do not procrastinate – stations tend to exhaust their stock during the hours when a hurricane is anticipated to hit.

Bonus Tips:

Stay Informed: Staying updated with the weather forecast and always obeying the regional administration recommendations. Perhaps there is an application that reports the emergence of new storms and getting it could be very helpful.

Plan Ahead: Everyone should develop their hurricane evacuation plan way before the beginning of the hurricane season. If you have to evacuate, know where you will go and how you will get there.

Protect Important Documents: Keep important papers such as birth certificates and insurance policies in a waterproof container or fireproof safe or in a safety deposit box.

Conclusion

So, the fundamental principle when it comes to hurricane preparedness is to prepare in advance. It is not wise to wait for a storm to be brewing before you prepare, and in this case, it is actually a storm. Following these simple steps will make you prepared for the hurricane season and assure you that you did all you could as a homeowner or as a parent.

Of course, it does give you something to do when the hurricane is actually approaching, oh wait, let’s have a hurricane party in the house safely. Just kidding! Oh but in all seriousness, be safe out there, Florida people.