Preparing Your Property for Hurricane Season
Hurricane season is upon us, and while the brunt of the storms typically comes later in the season, now's the time to prepare for what could possibly come. Last year, Texas and Florida were hit hard by major hurricanes, and forecasters are saying that 2018 is going to be another active season. Preparing for storms now will save a lot of time and headaches when a storm is imminent. Today's blog from Big Bags USA® focuses on things you can start doing now to prepare your home for hurricane season.
During a hurricane, it's not uncommon for the power to go out. Last year, Harvey and Irma knocked power out in some areas for weeks. Having a generator on hand is the perfect way to combat a power outage. If the power goes out, you'll still be able to perform regular household tasks such as cooking dinner and taking a shower. Now is the time to purchase a generator though, before a storm is imminent. Your local stores will likely sell out of them during the time frame just prior to a named hurricane heading for the states. If you order one online, shipping could be delayed due to storm-related weather. If you want a generator, now's the time to get one.
When a hurricane is headed toward the states, one of the first things that stores run out of is water. Start stocking up on cases of water now. You want to make sure you have enough for everyone in your family for several days. Water can easily become contaminated during storms and flooding, so it's important that you have plenty of drinking water on hand. It's better to have more than not enough, so grab some next time you're at the store and stock it away in the pantry or the garage. You also might consider stocking up on foods that don't require cooking or much preparation. If the electricity goes out (and you don't have a generator) you'll have no way of preparing food. You don't want to be stuck in your house and hungry for days.
If you already have commercially made storm shutters, now's the time to go ahead and put them on your house. If you don't have them, you might consider investing in some. Otherwise, you can use plywood to cover your windows and protect your home from hurricane-force winds. Use heavier, re-enforced plywood to cover larger pieces of glass such as sliding glass doors. While you may not want to put the plywood up just yet, you'll want to go ahead and buy it to have on hand. Cut it to the correct size so that's ready to put up quickly when a storm does become imminent. Your local hardwood store is also likely to sell out of plywood as a storm approaches, so get out there and purchase what you need early.
Now is a great time to sit down with your insurance agent to discuss your insurance coverage. It's important that you fully understand your coverage, and you might want to up that coverage in some cases. Ask about wind damage and other possible storm damage. Did you know that your typical homeowners insurance does not cover flooding? You need to purchase a separate flood insurance policy. These policies have a 30-day waiting period, so now is the time to get your policy in place. Hurricanes are often accompanied by major flooding and storm surge. You might also ask about any special hurricane coverage; there are policies that you can purchase that will help pay your hurricane deductible, meaning less out-of-pocket costs for you if your property is affected by a hurricane.
In the past, people would get sandbags to put at the base of their home to keep flood waters from entering their property. Today, there's a better solution! Big Bags USA® flood barriers are more efficient than traditional sandbags. They're easy to setup, requiring less time and resources than regular sandbags. They are the perfect on-hand flood control solution, that can be re-used year after year. Whether you're looking to protect your home or your business, look into Big Bags USA®.
Our products are best for community flood mitigation plans, so talk to your local officials and emergency management personnel about the benefits of using Big Bags USA® flood barrier system over traditional sandbags. Our products are easy to store and easy to deploy! They can handle the highest demands at a fraction of the costs typically associated with rapid deployed systems. To learn more, visit our website at www.BigBagsUSA.com or give us a call at 1-800-337-0537.
1. Buy a Generator.
During a hurricane, it's not uncommon for the power to go out. Last year, Harvey and Irma knocked power out in some areas for weeks. Having a generator on hand is the perfect way to combat a power outage. If the power goes out, you'll still be able to perform regular household tasks such as cooking dinner and taking a shower. Now is the time to purchase a generator though, before a storm is imminent. Your local stores will likely sell out of them during the time frame just prior to a named hurricane heading for the states. If you order one online, shipping could be delayed due to storm-related weather. If you want a generator, now's the time to get one.
2. Stock Up on Water & Non-Perishable Food.
When a hurricane is headed toward the states, one of the first things that stores run out of is water. Start stocking up on cases of water now. You want to make sure you have enough for everyone in your family for several days. Water can easily become contaminated during storms and flooding, so it's important that you have plenty of drinking water on hand. It's better to have more than not enough, so grab some next time you're at the store and stock it away in the pantry or the garage. You also might consider stocking up on foods that don't require cooking or much preparation. If the electricity goes out (and you don't have a generator) you'll have no way of preparing food. You don't want to be stuck in your house and hungry for days.
3. Install Storm Windows or Purchase Plywood.
If you already have commercially made storm shutters, now's the time to go ahead and put them on your house. If you don't have them, you might consider investing in some. Otherwise, you can use plywood to cover your windows and protect your home from hurricane-force winds. Use heavier, re-enforced plywood to cover larger pieces of glass such as sliding glass doors. While you may not want to put the plywood up just yet, you'll want to go ahead and buy it to have on hand. Cut it to the correct size so that's ready to put up quickly when a storm does become imminent. Your local hardwood store is also likely to sell out of plywood as a storm approaches, so get out there and purchase what you need early.
4. Assess Your Insurance Coverage.
Now is a great time to sit down with your insurance agent to discuss your insurance coverage. It's important that you fully understand your coverage, and you might want to up that coverage in some cases. Ask about wind damage and other possible storm damage. Did you know that your typical homeowners insurance does not cover flooding? You need to purchase a separate flood insurance policy. These policies have a 30-day waiting period, so now is the time to get your policy in place. Hurricanes are often accompanied by major flooding and storm surge. You might also ask about any special hurricane coverage; there are policies that you can purchase that will help pay your hurricane deductible, meaning less out-of-pocket costs for you if your property is affected by a hurricane.
5. Flood Protection from Big Bags USA®.
In the past, people would get sandbags to put at the base of their home to keep flood waters from entering their property. Today, there's a better solution! Big Bags USA® flood barriers are more efficient than traditional sandbags. They're easy to setup, requiring less time and resources than regular sandbags. They are the perfect on-hand flood control solution, that can be re-used year after year. Whether you're looking to protect your home or your business, look into Big Bags USA®.
Our products are best for community flood mitigation plans, so talk to your local officials and emergency management personnel about the benefits of using Big Bags USA® flood barrier system over traditional sandbags. Our products are easy to store and easy to deploy! They can handle the highest demands at a fraction of the costs typically associated with rapid deployed systems. To learn more, visit our website at www.BigBagsUSA.com or give us a call at 1-800-337-0537.
MADE IN THE USA ~ 100% Manufactured in Missouri ~ BUY AMERICAN
MADE IN THE USA ~ 100% Manufactured in Missouri ~ BUY AMERICAN
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