Hurricane Season is Upon us – Are you Prepared?

Image by Angela Yuriko Smith from Pixabay

​Many people wait until the last minute to gather necessary items in preparation of a named storm or hurricane. Don’t be one of them!

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Below are some ideas and lists that’ll get, and keep, you ready for the 2017 Hurricane Season.

* First and foremost, make sure your homeowner policy is up to date! Each year insurance companies amend policies to reflect changes in the industry. Now is a great time to review your policy and be sure you understand your coverage and deductibles.

*Even though Hurricane Season is underway and there is a 30 day wait for policy issuance, it’s never too late to get flood insurance.

*Keep materials for repair on hand. If you’ve sustained a loss as the result of a hurricane, it is your responsibility to protect your home from further damage. Plywood, tarps, nails, cleaning supplies, etc. are a few items you’d do well to keep on hand. 

Now that we’ve covered the insurance basics, let’s look at some items you might want to carry with you if you’re ordered to evacuate.

*Documentation of your home contents. A few pics with your phone or quick video showing your personal belongings is always smart and will help with the claim process should you need to file one.

*Medical records/documents (Will, DNR, list of Medications). This is especially important if you or one of your loved ones have a terminal illness or disability. Make sure you bring daily meds with you too!

*Pet records. Having your dog or cat’s shot records with you will make finding shelter for you and your furry friends a whole lot easier.

*First aid kit.

*Laptops, I-Pads, Electronic reading devices. These are easy to carry, don’t take up much room and will help keep the kids occupied while travelling or being holed up in a shelter somewhere. Make sure you pack car and home chargers! Books, Coloring books & Crayons and card/board games work well also.

*Granola/Cereal bars, peanut butter, fruit snacks, trail mix, etc.

Not evacuating? Below is a list of standard items you might need should the electricity go out for an extended period of time….

*Bottled Water

*Candles/Flashlights

*Batteries (now’s aa good time to check the batteries in your smoke/carbon monoxide detectors!)

*Camping stove and plenty of propane

*Fire extinguisher

*Canned foods that are easy to heat and eat; peanut butter, bread/crackers fruit snacks, trail mix, etc.

*Pots or Jugs of tap water – these are great for flushing toilets and washing up without decimating your cache of drinking water.

*First aid kit

*Baby/Disinfectant wipes and Hand Sanitizer

*Gasoline for generator (if you have one). If you do and plan to run it, please make sure it is set up in a place that is well ventilated so you and your family are not in danger of carbon monoxide poisoning!

*Card or Board games, coloring books and crayons, etc. to keep the little ones occupied inside while the storm rages outside.

Everyone has their own ideas about what is most important to them when evacuating or preparing to bunker down during a hurricane. Being organized and prepared will make riding out the storm a lot less stressful for everyone involved.

If you don’t have proper insurance coverage on your home, auto and/or recreational vehicles give us a call and we’ll get ‘cha covered.

Until next time, take care and remember an organized soul is a peaceful one.
Tommy Curtis and Staff