Hurricane Preparation Tips

Florida hurricane season begins every year on June 1st.  Proper preparation is key. There are some measures you can take to help safeguard your home to prevent property damage in a Florida hurricane.

1. Ensure that your smoke alarms are working properly.  This tip is a good one to follow in general.  Your smoke alarms should be working at all times.  If the batteries go dead, change them right away.  During a Florida hurricane, damage to gas lines or electrical lines can occur, increasing the risk of fire.

2. Keep a survival kit.  You should maintain a survival kit for you and your family in case of an emergency.  It should contain cash, candles, matches, flashlights, clothes, canned food, a can opener, first aid supplies and water.

3. Store water. You can either boil and store water or keep a supply of bottled water.  Having clean water is crucial following a natural disaster, as we have seen from past hurricanes in Florida.

4. Unplug your electronics.  If you know that a storm is approaching, unplug anything electrical, including your refrigerator and television.  Electrical appliances can ignite.

5. Store valuables and electronic devices up high.  If your home floods from a Florida hurricane, you need to ensure that your valuables are safe. 

If your home has been damaged in a hurricane and you have filed an insurance claim, you might be surprised to find that the insurer delays or even denies payment.