As we wait for more details on Hurricane Irma, it’s best to be prepared. Protect yourself and your home. We’ve collected a list of tips & tricks!
HOME
- When buying a home, ask if the home comes with hurricane shutters, as well as impact doors and windows
- Take video/pictures of everything in your home (even inside your cabinets) BEFORE a hurricane. This will help with insurance companies and agencies in the aftermath
- Place old rags & beach towels on your windowsills. Even with the best windows & shutters, water seeping from the wind pressure happens. A few damp towels is better than soaked drywall or floors!
- Shutter windows and doors
- Close curtains, shutters and blinds
- Bring all outdoor furniture and unsecured items (birdfeeders, hanging plants) into your garage or house NOW. Do not wait until the day before. Better to get done early and relax than wait until its too late
- If you’re in a flood zone, sand bags are a good idea, available in Fort Myers at these locations
- Fill bathtub with water and keep a bucket in the bathroom to be able to flush the toilet
- If flooding threatens your home, turn off electricity at the main breaker
- Create a safe space. This is usually a bathroom or interior room with no windows
PERSONAL & PETS
- Start running your ice makers now and bagging the ice in freezer bags. Fill as much space in between your freezer items as you can
- Charge items like cellphones and laptops
- Freeze regular tap water for pets, cleaning or drinking in tupperware-type containers. REMEMBER to leave a small bit of space between the top of the water & the lids so the ice expands but doesn’t crack the container
- Pet & livestock food & supplies. Vet records in case you need to shelter then at a storm-safe facility
- Purchase enough non-perishables to last 3-5 days
- Start using up your perishables to make more room for ice in the freezer
- Fill up all vehicles & check tires & oil
- Cash from ATM, at least enough to get you through tolls and gas out of town. Call your bank if you plan on leaving the state so they don’t freeze your card for out-of-area “suspicious” transactions
- Take pictures of all important docs & send them to your email. Take originals in sealed bags or plastic bins
- Make Evacuation Plans and share with family members so they know where you’re headed
- Consider putting heirlooms & photos in plastic bins in a high place, second floor, or safe room if you don’t plan on taking them with you
- SECURE ALL FIREARMS & AMMUNITION PROPERLY
- Stock up on hurricane supplies, (water, flashlights, etc.)
Do you have any other hurricane tips & tricks? Share!