Whether this is your first or your tenth hurricane season residing in Florida, preparing your home prior to it can be substantially beneficial for protecting your home and family. Oftentimes people will forget about the devastating impacts that hurricanes are capable of—especially when there is more hype around some than others or when one decides to move in a different direction at the last minute.
However, it is essential to remember that hurricanes are often unpredictable and can destroy property and people’s lives. That is why proper hurricane preparation prior to the season matters.
So how exactly can you best prepare for a hurricane without going overboard prior to hurricane season?
3 Tips to Best Prepare for Hurricane Season in Florida
While the Northwest is the more common Florida region for hurricanes to make landfall, cities all throughout Florida can be impacted by hurricanes and associated damages resulting from flooding and tornadoes.
Regardless of what part of Florida you reside in, preparing for hurricanes in the pre-season should be routine and can help you better protect your family and minimize property damage.
The following are 3 tips to help you best prepare for hurricane season in Florida.
#1: Gather Supplies
One of the worst feelings is waiting until the last minute to gather a few survival supplies at the grocery or department store only to find that they are out of stock. Things that you can easily stock up on in advance include:
- Water
- Batteries
- First aid supplies
- Canned/nonperishable foods
- Medications
- Backup generators
- Gasoline
- Pet supplies and records
After you have gathered plenty of supplies, pack an emergency bag that you can quickly grab on the go. If you do not want to pack a bag in advance, you can make a list of what you need to pack this way you won’t have to waste time thinking about what you need when in the event you and your family need to evacuate.
Consider items such as:
- Identification cards
- Documents (insurance papers, birth certificates, social security cards, pet vaccination records, etc.)
- Cash
- Change of clothes
- Toiletries
- Medications
- List of essential phone numbers
- External hard drives with essential documents.
#2: Create a Plan
You have likely heard the saying failing to plan is planning to fail. When it comes to hurricane season, this phrase often rings true. Create a few plans, such as a few evacuation routes and lodgings in addition to locating nearby shelters you may need to stay in for some time.
If you have pets, be sure to inquire about the hotel’s or shelter’s pet policies and guidelines so you can pack and plan accordingly.
#3: Upgrade Your Home’s Hurricane Protection
Technology has rapidly advanced helping to create stronger, more reliable solutions that better protect structures from the many forces of mother nature. This includes a home’s window and door installations.
Having the right installations in place for when hurricane season rolls around gives you more peace of mind and checks one task (boarding up your windows and doors) off of your to-do list.
The right installations can help protect your home from wind-born debris, flooding, and more.
At Eastern Architectural Systems, we understand the importance of keeping your home and family safe—especially throughout hurricane season. Whether you’re looking for energy efficiency or hurricane protection, you’ll find a large selection of aluminum and vinyl windows and doors to complement your home.
Plus, if you live in a high-velocity hurricane zone, Bertha™ impact windows and doors are for you. A trusted name in hurricane protection, our Bertha line boasts the Made in the USA® certification and Good Housekeeping Seal.
How Will You Prepare for Hurricane Season?
Whether or not you reside in a high-velocity hurricane zone, hurricane preparation is essential for Florida homeowners. By upgrading your installations, creating a plan, and gathering supplies pre-hurricane season, you can avoid the last-minute hassle of running to the store only to find empty shelves.
Click the button below to find the nearest Eastern Architectural Systems window and door dealer and learn about our many options available to help protect your home and family this hurricane season and beyond.
