It’s just a week away!The 2010 Hurricane season is almost here and are you ready!Sure you may have your shutters ready, have your flood insurance, wind insurance and maybe even an evacuation plan but are you ready?
This week’s hurricane prep tip can be summed up pretty easily:have a plan.Just as you prepare your property for a potential storm you need to be prepared too.First, not every storm we get here causes us to evacuate.In this case you’ll need to have a storm kit assembled.It should include at a minimum: food, water, flashlights, batteries, radio and a first aid kit.There are many suggestions for a personal survival kit and you can check them out at www.coastalstormshutters.com.
This topic goes beyond the basic survival needs though.You should have accurate and up to date important papers stored in a lockable fire and waterproof safe, preferably one that’s easy to move.These records should include passports, birth certificates, marriage licenses etc.Having these documents safe will give you piece of mind and help reestablish your life after a disaster.
Along the same lines, if you have any property you’re protecting then you probably want to inventory it.It will help any claims process go a bit smoother if you can prove to the insurance adjuster what exactly you had.A good tip here is to be sure to take photo’s or video of high value items to actually display what condition they were in before the event. Once the inventory is complete store that in the safe too.
Taking these simple steps can help you recover quickly after a storm and give you piece of mind during the season.As always stay tuned as our next topic covers evacuation planning.
Fortunately most hurricanes and tropical storms give us some advanced warning.A lot can be done to the property you own to minimize any potential damage that the approaching storm may cause.
First make sure you pick up and store inside any loose items around your property.This includes lawn ornaments, children’s toys, patio furniture, grills etc.If an item is too big to be put away (like a trampoline) secure it in some way.A trampoline can be flipped over and sand bags placed on top to hold it down. Sheds for instance can be cargo strapped shut to help them maintain their integrity.This important step can save a lot of headache down the road as any of the above items can quickly become debris in a storm.
Next, prepare your home for the approaching storm.Make sure that you cover any openings or vulnerable areas on your home.The windstorm mitigation report talked about in our last discussion should help you identify these potential vulnerable areas.If you need some ideas before storm season is upon us check out http://www.coastalstormshutters.com/products.htm for valuable information.
Most people understand that they need to take these steps in order to protect their investments.However, what most people fail to account for is the amount of time needed to prepare.If a storm threatens, preparation should start immediately.That way no corners are cut and you’re not outside trying to secure the property when you should be evacuating.Keep checking back as we discuss this topic more and get into some preparation tips for yourself and family as well.
Let’s face it, living in Florida especially along the coast puts homeowners at increased risk from the effects of a hurricane or tropical storm.It is a fact of life here, but it doesn’t mean there is nothing that can be done about it.
Homeowners new and experienced need to know that the first step in adequately protecting your home is first finding out what needs protecting.That is where a wind mitigation inspection comes in.In our opinion every homeowner who has a home that requires a windstorm policy needs to have this done.
Although the name may sound intimidating all a windstorm mitigation inspection is, is a closer look at your property to see how it is currently constructed and where it could be made stronger.
A windstorm mitigation inspection can help you prioritize what needs to be reinforced in and around your home.It will allow you as the homeowner to see where the most vulnerable portions of your home are and tell you how to prepare those areas to have a higher chance of surviving a storm.
The biggest benefit to having a windstorm mitigation inspection comes down to money.Sometimes just having the inspection done can cut your insurance premium.If the suggestions detailed in the inspection are followed up on, then the potential savings grows.Check out this link to see how much some protection to your home could save you: http://www.floridadisaster.org/mitdb/index.cfm.
Lastly,who you choose to conduct a windstorm mitigation inspection can be just as important as the inspection itself.Homeowners should choose someone that is licensed and has the proper background to make the correct recommendations.Here at Coastal Storm Shutters we pride ourselves on being a one stop shop for all your hurricane protection needs and we believe that it starts with a thorough mitigation inspection.Give us a call today at 850-936-7300 or visit us on the web at http://www.coastalstormshutters.com/index.htm
