How to Hurricane Prep Your House: Stay Safe in Bad Weather
Stock Up
One way to hurricane prep your house is to stock up on essentials in case you need shelter in place. This means making sure you have everything you need to live for at least three days without power. For example, you’ll want some non-perishable food, a battery radio, spare batteries, flashlights, a first aid kit, cleaning supplies, and at least a gallon per day of water for each member of your family. And don’t forget pet supplies too!
Prepare for Winds
You’ll also want to hurricane prep your house against high winds. Move outdoor furniture into your home, or anchor things you cannot move like grills. You also might want to trim any loose tree limbs. Or even take down trees that look like they could potentially fall on your house. Move your cars into your garage or under shelter if possible. You can secure windows with storm shutters.
Prepare for Water
You’ll also need to hurricane prep your house for extreme rain and even flooding. Clean out gutters, drains, and downspouts. You’ll also want to make sure you have plenty of protective materials like plastic sheeting and trash bags. If you live in an area with frequent hurricanes, you might want to elevate your HVAC unit and other electrical components of your house.
Leave if Necessary
While it’s helpful to hurricane prep your house before a storm in case you need to shelter in place, you also need to prepare to evacuate if necessary. Make sure that everybody in your family knows what to do in the case of a mandatory evacuation. Plan out specific routes and meetup places. It’s never a good idea to remain in your house if there are evacuation orders.
If you live in a part of the country that typically sees a lot of hurricanes, it’s important to know how to hurricane prep your house. Hurricanes can be unpredictable and change quickly. So know that even the best-laid plans might have to be abandoned. Keep a hurricane kit stocked with supplies you might need to shelter in place. In addition, secure your house against heavy winds and rains. However, the most important thing is to make sure that everybody in your family knows to leave if there is an evacuation. No matter where you live, you should have an emergency plan for your family. Hopefully, this hurricane season will be a mild one, but preparing your home just in case is a great way to stay safe in a storm.