Protect Your Home and Family with Storm Safety Tips

We all know that the weather doesn’t follow our calendars, so it’s wise to prepare now before disaster strikes. Hurricane Preparedness Week in May is a good time to ensure you’re ready for the storm season, which runs June 1 to November 30.

Important steps include:

• Emergency Supplies: Stock at least three days of food, water, medications, and essential items for each family member, including the furry ones.

• Insurance and Documentation: Verify homeowners and flood insurance, and document possessions with photos or videos for claims. Check ServSol.com for instructions on dealing with damage after it occurs.

• Evacuation Planning: Know multiple evacuation routes, shelter locations, and transportation options, including for pets.

• Home Safety: Trim trees, secure loose items, install storm shutters, and reinforce vulnerable structures like garage doors.

• Communication: Establish a family communication plan and sign up for local alerts and NOAA weather notifications.

Don’t wait until danger threatens. Many of these tasks can be accomplished in advance of an approaching storm to give you peace of mind and more time to protect your most important investments – your home and family.

More resources:

• NOAA Hurricane Preparedness

• National Weather Service Hurricane Preparedness

• American Red Cross Emergency Planning