12 ways to prep your home for hurricane season

No one wants to experience a hurricane, but should one head in your direction the best preparation can help weather one. Read up on these hurricane home prep tips.

Make a basic storm kit

A basic storm kit is designed to get a family through 48 hours without electricity and basic services. Your basic storm kit should include whistles, blankets, garbage bags, batteries, a three-day water supply, and two days worth of food. Here are some more tips for stocking up smart during a disaster.

Fill gas containers

A 5,500-watt generator will run about eight hours on five gallons of gasoline, so gas management is critical if you want to be prepared for an extended power outage. That may mean running your generator for shorter periods and coasting on things like refrigeration. Find out more tips for preparing your home for a hurricane.

Start moving stuff

Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, toys, and garden tools, and anchor objects that cannot be brought inside. These are the U.S. states most prone to natural disasters.

Review evacuation plans

You and your family should pick two locations to go to for safety in the event of an emergency. Choose one out-of-town person as an emergency contact and create a list of emergency contacts that can be kept in a safe, readily available place. These are the foods you should stock up on before a hurricane.

Locate water, gas, and electricity shut-offs

Finding the water, gas and electricity shutoffs should be among the first things you do when you move into a new home. They should be near the top of your list at locating when a hurricane is forecasted. Wait to turn off your gas until local officials tell you to do so. Don’t miss what those hurricane categories really mean.

Prepare windows, doors, and garage doors

If you live in an area susceptible to hurricanes then it’s best to prepare the home for those conditions with shutters. Brace your doors and secure your garage door, which has a likelihood of blowing away in a storm.

Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest setting

That way if the power does go out your food will stay cold a little longer. Watch out for these things you should never do during a power outage.

Unplug electrical appliances if power is lost

Unplugging your appliances will prevent any potential damage from a power surge once power is restored. Here are the ways every homeowner should prepare for a power outage.

Gather insurance documents

Your home insurance documents and other important papers should be part of your storm kit and readily available in the event of a disaster because you will need that proof for claims and assistance. Make sure you know about these scams that are sadly prevalent after hurricanes and other disasters.

Determine what to do with pets

Not all emergency shelters will accept pets through their doors so it’s important to have a plan for your pets. Before storm season arrives, locate shelters that allow pets and contact them. Keep a picture of your pet if it gets lost or have them microchipped if you haven’t already. Here are some tips for keeping your pets safe during a natural disaster.

Elevate furniture, if there’s time

If there is time before the storm hits your area, it’s a good idea to move furniture to higher ground, but only if you have time. There are certainly far more pressing tasks in a time of crisis. Find out more things every homeowner needs to do to prepare for hurricane season.

Keep flashlights and extra batteries in dry areas

Store them in containers to make sure they will work if need be. Better yet, make a flashlight glow in the dark so it’s easy to locate. Next, try these ways that you can help after a natural disaster (hint: it’s rarely donating clothes).

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