Tips to Ensure Your Home and Family’s Safety
Hurricane season is just around the corner, and that means it is time to start preparing your home for potential storms. If you live in the New Orleans area where hurricanes are an annual occurrence, it’s important to take some steps to ensure your home is as secure as possible. In this blog post, we will provide you with advice on how to best protect your home from a hurricane.
Seal All Windows and Doors
One of the most important things you can do to prepare your home for hurricane season is to make sure that all of your windows and doors are properly sealed. You should also invest in hurricane shutters or impact-resistant glass to protect your windows from high winds and flying debris. If you have any loose items around your property, such as outdoor furniture, it’s a good idea to secure them or bring them inside so they don’t become projectiles in a storm.
Secure or Reinforce Your Roof
Your roof is one of the most vulnerable parts of your home in a hurricane, so it’s important to take steps to secure or reinforce it. You should inspect your roof regularly for any damage or weakness, and make sure that any loose tiles or shingles are properly secured. If you live in an area that often sees high degrees of damage, you may also want to consider installing hurricane straps or clips, which can help keep your roof attached to your home in high winds.
Clear Your Gutters and Downspouts
Another important preparation step is to clear your gutters and downspouts of any debris. This will ensure that they are able to properly drain water away from your home during a storm. You should also trim any trees or shrubs around your property that could potentially damage your home in high winds.
Make Sure Your Family is Prepared
It’s also important to create an emergency plan for you and your family in case a hurricane does strike. You should know how you will evacuate if necessary, and where you will go if you need to leave your home. Make sure everyone in your family knows the plan and understands what to do in case of an emergency.
It may also be useful to discuss what to do if a member of your family is caught outside of the home as a hurricane strikes, like if they are driving, at work, or at a friend’s house. Ensure they know what steps to take to communicate with the family and ensure their safety no matter what their location.
Create an Emergency Kit
You should also create an emergency kit that you can take with you if you need to evacuate. This kit should include essential items like food, water, and first-aid supplies, as well as clothing and blankets. You may also want to include items like a flashlight, batteries, and cash in case of power outages or other disruptions. Medications and important documents are also important to keep out of harm’s way.
Plan for Long-Term Outages
It’s also important to plan for the possibility of long-term power outages. This means having enough non-perishable food and water on hand to last you and your family for at least a week. You should also have a backup plan for cooking and heating, as well as any necessary medical supplies. If you have pets, make sure you have a plan for their care as well.
Reevaluate Your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy
Finally, it’s a good idea to take a look at your homeowner’s insurance policy before hurricane season to make sure you’re properly covered. This is especially important if you live in an area that is prone to hurricanes or other natural disasters. Make sure you understand what your policy covers and what it doesn’t so that you can be prepared in case the worst does happen.
When disaster strikes, the last thing you need is an insurance company denying or delaying necessary payments. The team at The Chopin Law Firm LLC helps policyholders receive the compensation they are entitled to. Schedule a free case evaluation by calling (504) 475-2429
