We’re well into the Atlantic Hurricane Season here in Florida, and meteorologists are already predicting a busy year. That means the Sunshine State could be hit by a hurricane. At the least, forecasters say our region of the country will again be subject to severe weather. The good news is that there’s still time to prepare your property. This way, you and your loved ones can be safe and secure no matter what Mother Nature might muster.

Along with the essentials, it’s also an ideal moment to consider home improvement products that are functional as well as aesthetic. Luckily, there are no shortage of features that can give you the best of all worlds. Use these suggestions to weather hurricane season, and come out on the other side unscathed.

Stock Up and Make a Checklist

You might already have a running hurricane kit that you re-stock each season. Still, it’s a good idea to ensure that you have all the essentials on hand should the worst occur. That includes provisions such as food and water, first-aid, batteries and electricity generators, blankets, emergency notification devices, and similar.

This is also the time to move items around your property that may become airborne during severe weather, such as patio furniture, garden tools, and barbecue grills. Be sure to anchor any items that aren’t able to be brought inside. Carports in Florida could be a great area under which to store items you want to keep safe from summer storms.

Get Everyone on the Same Page

Next, make sure that your loved ones are up to speed on evacuation plans, including where everyone will meet up in the event that you become separated. While it can be uncomfortable and scary to think of these things, once a storm arrives and emotions are running high, there might not be enough time to accurately plan in this regard.

Designate one or more family members who will be responsible for certain tasks such as shutting off water, gas, and electricity if needed. It’s also a good idea to protect windows, doors, and other vulnerable areas of your property. If you have awnings in Orlando and closer to your own locale, you’ll want to take steps to keep these items free from potential weather hazards.

As part of your plan, everyone should know their role in the safety and supervision of children and pets. Youth and animals will often flee from a scary or overwhelming scenario.

Safeguard Your Property      

Along with these considerations, it’s wise to keep in mind “heat of the moment” concerns. For instance, should the power go out, you’ll want to unplug appliances to prevent a surge when electricity returns.

Prior to the storm, make sure that your roof is strapped down and that you have garage security measures in place, if applicable. Buy or make storm shutters and barricades to protect your Florida screened porch and other portions of your home that could take a direct hit from flying debris.

For landscaping, it’s wise to trim trees and shrubs, and also tie down smaller trees. Ideally, this will be done well in advance of the storm, so that natural refuse can be hauled away and properly disposed of. If you have gravel around your home, try to pick up and store this material, or otherwise cover or tamp it down.

Start Planning Now

Just as you likely review your insurance coverage and take new inventory of your possessions each year, it’s a good idea to think of innovative property enhancement solutions that will help keep you safe during hurricane season, and also provide comfort and enjoyment when the sun is shining.

For more than 60 years, we’ve assisted homeowners across Florida with home improvement products that boost property value and enhance quality of life. That includes Florida sunrooms, Bahama and accordion shutters, retractable screen systems, pool enclosures, do it yourself (DIY) kits, and more. In addition, we offer storm protection and security, and have built a solid reputation as the foremost authority for replacement windows in the Treasure Coast and across Florida. Contact us today to learn more about how you can keep your home safe and secure throughout the year. 

Prepping Your Policies Before A Natural Disaster

In the event of a natural disaster like a hurricane, FEMA may provide disaster grants that needn’t be repaid, the amount you get is usually much lower than you need — in the tens of thousands, for losses that could easily run to the hundreds of thousands. Your regular home insurance should protect you from one of the biggest risks, wind damage. Water should be covered too unless the insurance company decides the damage is covered by flooding, which requires a separate policy. However, Insurers typically issue moratoriums on even making changes to existing policies once a hurricane warning (or even a hurricane watch) has been issued for an area. Now with many hurricanes sure to come in 2020, take the time to evaluate your coverage before its too late.