Hurricane Plan

One:
Talk to your family. Hold a meeting or discussion over dinner about the hazards of a storm. Make sure your children know what you will be doing to keep them safe and that everyone knows their role in what to do in the event of a storm.

Two:
Do you need to evacuate for this storm? Find out about shelters in your area, and have a list handy with addresses and phone numbers, make sure it in a plastic water proof sheet posted on your fridge or bulletin board.

Three:
Take photos of your home and all valuables. Make a list of these items and their costs. Be sure you have contacted your home owners or renter’s insurance company’s to discuss your coverage and protect these items by making sure your insurance will cover them.

Four:
Similar to the fire drills they do at schools, do a hurricane drill in your home with your family. Make sure everyone knows where all exits are are and that your children learn to remain calm. Have an exit stradegy and make sure all family members follow the same routine.

Five:
Protect your other important Family members, your pets!! Make sure you check the shelters in your area and determine if they allow pets, if they do not be sure to find animal kennels in the surrounding area’s so that they are safe and secure. Be sure to have supplies such as special medications for your animals, food and water to secure them in the event of a storm. Do not forget to make sure to keep their shot records and medical information in a plastic water proof sheet as well. Be sure all pets are wearing tags with address and contact information in the event of an emergency.

Six:
A costly expense during even a minor storm can be vehicle damage. Be sure to contact your car insurance agent and confirm what they will cover in the event of a natural disaster. Determine weather or not you are in a flood zone and decide if you would like to store or park your vehicle some where else, our best recommendation is a family or friends home in your surrounding area.

Seven:
Make sure your home is secure. Hurricane Shutters and Impact windows and doors are a great investment. They lower your insurance costs and keep you and your home and family safe. Be sure to trim all trees and make sure your roof bracings are secure. Another great investment is a generator that will  supply power to your family and keep food from going bad. If you do not have a gas stove we highly recommend investing in gas or charcoal grill for cooking in the event of a storm.

Eight
It is important to remember supplies. Attached you will find a list of all of the necessary items to sustain you during a storm.

Nine:
Too often we loose our most valuable irreplaceable items during a natural disaster. Buy a large plastic water proof container and put all of your family photos and documents in it. We recommend you cover all important documents in plastic sheets and buy large zip lock bags for your photos for extra protection. Remember things like school records, medical information, auto and home insurance policies, marriage licenses, social security cards, pass ports and medical insurance information. Be sure to create a contact sheet for all of your family and friends with names, numbers and addresses. All of the furniture and televisions can be replaced, but photos are the one thing too many people forget to protect and can never get back.

Ten:
Make sure all of your family and friends are aware of your hurricane plan, be sure to let family members that live out of town know the local shelters or hotels they can contact you at after the storm.

The best way to protect your family is being pre paired before the storm. Once a hurricane warning goes into affect stores are over crowed and under supplied, don’t allow this situation to happen to you. BE PREPAIIRED!!