Hurricane Checklist
Tips from Real-Estate-Agents.com
by David Hollies, reprinted courtesy of ServiceMagic.com
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As Jimmy Buffet once wrote, "If you live in the area,
you have to know how to reason with hurricane season." Here
are some tips:
- Make sure that everyone is forewarned and is ready to move
to shelter when necessary.
- Have working flashlights with spare batteries on hand. Make
sure everyone knows how to safely get to a flashlight if the
power fails. Verify availability and location of candles and
lanterns in case power outages last for an extended period.
- If anyone in your household relies on electrical medical
equipment such as an oxygen machine, arrange for backup power
from a generator.
- Set aside several gallons of drinking water in case water
supplies are interrupted.
- Make sure you have a battery-operated radio with good batteries
so you can stay informed of developments even after the power
is out.
- If flooding is possible, move valued possessions to higher
floors in the home.
- Have extra buckets, trays and plastic sheeting on hand to
deal with potential leaks caused by blowing water or wind damage.
- Buy or make extra ice to preserve refrigerated and frozen
foods if the power goes out for an extended period of time.
- Unplug all electronic equipment that is plugged directly
into the wall outlet. All electronic appliances, from a televisions
to computers to microwave ovens, can be damaged or ruined by
electrical surges associated with storms.
- Make a quick survey of your trees. Note any dead trees or
branches. If there is no time to have them taken down by a professional
before the storm, make a note to avoid threatened parts of the
house during the peak of the storm. Also make a note to have
the trees trimmed after the storm.
- Close storm shutters if you have them. Screw plywood sheets
over unshuttered windows or crisscross the glass with masking
tape. While the tape won't reduce breakage much, it may prevent
glass shards from becoming a lethal projectiles.
- Tie down or move indoors all unanchored play equipment, trash
cans, outdoor furniture, umbrellas, etc. Not only will you prevent
the loss of these things, you'll prevent them from becoming dangerous
wind-borne projectiles.
-- Tips courtesy of ServiceMagic.com