Hurricane season is here. In the Atlantic region, meteorologists say hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30. That’s six months of possible damage to your home from strong winds, fierce rain, power outages, and more. Typically, homeowners will receive a hurricane warning 48 hours before the storm hits. Instead of waiting for a storm and dealing with the consequences later, here are a few ways you can prepare your home for a storm.
Do a Repair Inventory of Your Home
One of the first things you should do is walk around your home and check it for repairs. Here are a few things to monitor closely:
- Roof. Is your roof missing any shingles?
- Siding. Does any siding look damaged or loose?
- Gutters. Are your gutters clean and attached to your house?
- Windows. Do you need storm shutters to protect your windows?
- Doors. Are your exterior doors secured? Is your garage door fully functional?
If any of these areas have problems, get them checked out or replaced as soon as possible, that way your house is better insulated from a storm. Additionally, make sure your outdoor furniture is secured or can be moved indoors easily.
Create a Hurricane Survival Kit
If a bad storm hits, you could lose power for several days at a time. Instead of quickly assembling a hurricane survival kit after a storm warning breaks, it is much safer to create one now.
Your kit should contain enough supplies to last you and your family 72 hours. Here’s a breakdown of what to include in your kit:
First Aid Supplies
- Two pairs of Latex or other sterile gloves
- Sterile dressings to stop bleeding
- Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes
- Antibiotic ointment
- Burn ointment
- Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes
- Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontaminant
- Thermometer
- Scissors
- Tweezers
Food and Water
Even if you live in a large city, a natural disaster can leave you without easy access to food and water. So make sure that your hurricane survival kit contains at least three days of non-perishable items, including one gallon of water per person (and animal), per day.
Medications
If you have a baby, be sure to include formula, diapers, bottles, and powdered milk. Adults may need heart and high blood pressure medications, insulin, dentures, contact lenses, menstrual supplies, and so on. In addition to packing whatever specific medications individuals in your family require, be sure to have non-essential medications like aspirin, laxatives, and antacids.
Bedding and Clothing
If a storm forces you to leave home, your family may feel frightened and intimidated. Taking a small piece of home with you can help put your family at ease. Here are a few items to consider taking:
- One complete set of clothing per person
- Rain gear
- Towels
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Pillows
- Hat and gloves
- Sunglasses
- Sturdy and comfortable shoes
Tools and Supplies
Be sure to have flashlights, lamps, and plenty of batteries on hand. Candles, flares, lighters and waterproof matches are also great items to have during a storm. Additionally, make sure personal documents like your passport, license, and insurance policies are safe and secure.
It’s never too early to begin building a hurricane survival kit. Perishable items like food, water, and some medicines should be replaced every six months. You can build the kit yourself, or buy a pre-made kit online.
Getting Help Early
If your home needs to be more secure for hurricane season, DryHome can quickly repair your roof, siding, windows and doors. Contact us for a free estimate today. We’re here to help you prepare for the unthinkable.
