No doubt, this winter has been rough on everyone. Though the Cutler Bay area may not have gotten record breaking snow accumulation like the rest of the United States, our yearly weather burden is just starting – Hurricanes! The Atlantic hurricane season is upon us; have you had time to prepare? Below are eight tips which may help protect your home this year.
1. Have an adequate supply of lumber on hand to cover doors and windows. Buy good quality wood and cut the window dimensions before a hurricane is approaching. Label the cut wood with what window it will cover for quick access. When securing the wood, use screws and bolts instead of nails.
2. If you shelter in place, keep several cans of spray paint on hand. Large and boldly colored spray paint can be seen easily, especially from the air. Hopefully you won’t have to spray paint “Help” on your roof, but it’s nice to know you can do so if needed.
3. Do a little supply prepping beforehand. Purchase necessities before it is too late and your grocery stores shelves have dwindled. If you plan on evacuating per each hurricane, only buy the amount of items you need which can fit into your car.
4. Also, and in regards to prepping, pack a “go-bag” and keep it easily accessible. If you evacuate to an area which won’t be affected by the storm, chances are others will have the same idea. If so, hotels will be at a premium and hard to find. A go-bag equipped with a tent, sleeping bag, and camping stove may come in handy at a camp site.
5. Keep some gasoline on hand in order to top-off your cars gas tank before evacuating. Make sure you store gasoline in the appropriate containers in your garage or shed.
6. Make sure to have important paperwork, such as passports, birth certificates, and insurance policies, in a central location. Grabbing these documents in a hurry can save you from a host of other problems.
7. Consider consulting with an electrician in the Cutler Bay area in order to assess your homes electrical preparedness. A Cutler Bay electrician can advise on generator options and other electrical options for your home in regards to electrical emergencies.
8. Review your insurance policies to find out what is covered in the event of a hurricane. These policies can include: homeowners, automobile, boat, flood, and renters insurance. Keep the phone numbers to each insurance company saved in your phone for quick access.