We have all seen the photos of the damage hurricanes can do and if you lived at the Jersey Shore in 2012 then you witnessed it first hand. As hurricane season rolls in, you may be thinking that there isn’t a whole lot you can do to protect your home should those damaging winds start up. There are however a few essential steps you can take to minimize a hurricane’s impact on your home.
The weakest parts of your home are the entry points; door and windows. Guarding these points with storm shutters or plywood greatly reduces the risk of damage, like shattering. Broken windows leave the rest of our home exposed to wind, rain, and debris so this simple step can greatly reduce the damage that can be caused. There are also impact-resistant windows which are another effective, yet costlier, option. Experts advise that boarding up windows is the way to go and to avoid taping them as this provides a false sense of security and allows the opportunity for bigger, deadlier pieces of glass to enter your home.
A lot of homes at the Jersey Shore have since been lifted in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in 2012 to ensure against flood damage. However, there are some who have not had the means or the need to lift their home. Experts recommend piling up sandbags at least 2 feet high around your homes entrances to effectively barricade against flood damage. If you cannot acquire sandbags on short notice, you can also fill a few heavy duty garbage bags 1/3 of the way with water and place them side by side.
Outdoor objects surrounding your home can become deadly airborne missiles in hurricane strength winds. Pick up, tie down, or put away anything that could easily be picked up in a strong wind. You may also think about trimming trees to reduce the risk or number of falling limbs.
Unplugging appliances will eliminate the risk of damage to your expensive appliances. Plugging in those that cannot be unplugged to a surge protector can also help to protect your devices from voltage spikes caused by any electrical surges that may happen during a hurricane. You may even consider a home generator.
Have pictures of the valuables in your home. Knowing what you have in your house is important in post-storm recovery should the home or the belongings get damaged. Serial numbers are also handy to have and will help when filing claims with your insurance company.