Fortify Your Home Against The Storm

Many of us in the South are used to going a couple days without power when a hurricane comes through our town. We know we should have an ample supply of water and dry food just in case we get trapped inside, along with some other necessities like flashlights, first aid, and battery backups. But there are also some things you should check around your actual household to make sure you will stay safe during the storm.

Surge Protection is something we may not think of normally, but it can be an easy thing to protect against. If lightning hits near your house or a power line you are connected to, you could be in for a rude awakening when the power comes back on. If you get hit with a surge during the storm it can fry all the electronics in your house. You can install surge protection right into your electrical box. But at a minimum you should at least put surge protectors on the outlets your major appliances and other larger electronics are plugged into.

Cover Your Air Conditioner. Your air conditioner is one of the more expensive items your household uses. If you anticipate a bad storm coming through it may be advantageous to turn off your A/C early and cover the outside unit so that it does not get damaged by flying debris. It may not be great going without A/C for a couple days, especially if your power stays on, but if it’s damaged during a hurricane it may be an even longer time before you can get someone out there to fix it.

Remove Debris In Your Area. Hurricanes do enough damage and create enough debris without us giving them any additional help. First, make sure there are not any loose objects around your yard. These items include but are not limited to kids toys, law furniture, lawn ornaments, and trash cans. It is also very important to check for weak and unstable plants and branches. These are often the victims of hurricane winds and regular tree pruning can not only prevent a bigger accident from happening but will also increase the chances of the tree surviving the storm.

Clean Gutters and Drains. These are meant to gather water and remove it farther away from your home, but they won’t work if they aren’t clear. Often times clogged gutters can lead to water pooling in areas around the house and eventually the gutter breaking when it is hit with a bad gust of wind.

Check for Foundation Cracks. The last thing you want is for water to get into the foundation of your home. Take a moment before any storm to make sure you do not see any major cracks along the outside edge of concrete surrounding your home. A couple minutes of inspection time could prevent much larger issues down the road.

Seal Windows and Doors. The biggest weak points in your home are the doors and windows. The first step is to inspect all of them and check for drafts or openings. Once you are sure everything is secured safely we must take measures to protect them. Sand bags in front of doors and low windows can help to prevent water from flooding in. While covering window openings not only protect the windows but help make sure no water will get into your home, which is always the biggest cause of damage during hurricanes.

Many people will use plywood to protect their home. But why use something cheap and ineffective to protect the most important parts of your life…

First Coast Hurricane Shutters offer high quality protection for your person and possessions. Hurricane Shutters are built to fit perfectly over your doors and windows. Protecting you against wind and debris while having a tight fit so that no water will sneak in. Not only are they the top of the line when it comes to protection. But they also close easily in a matter of minutes. This means you don’t have to spend time nailing plywood onto your home, which not only damages the exterior of your home, but is also weak in the face of debris moving at high speeds.