Hurricane Season 2019 is Approaching: Hurricane Preparation Tips to Implement Now
Living in Florida has its perks, but hurricanes are certainly not something to enjoy. While it is still early in the year, hurricane season 2019 is approaching. Here are some hurricane preparedness tips you need to implement now to stay safe.
Stock Up on Supplies
When hurricanes strike, one of the first necessity they often affect is electricity. When power failures occur, you may find yourself without any power or even water for days – if not weeks. Since it is practically impossible to know how devastating a hurricane will be ahead of time, preparedness is the best course of action. This preparedness includes stockpiling food, water, medical supplies, and other essential items. When storing, always ensure you have the basics and essentials. These include:
- Canned food to last several weeks
- Water to last several weeks
- Batteries and a flashlight
- Weather radio
- Portable generator (if possible) to help power a refrigerator or charge phones
Check Your Roof
Hurricanes pack ferocious winds, and your roof could be in danger. Always make sure your roof is in proper shape and maintained. That will help protect you and your family come the next storm. You’ll need to inspect the roof before hurricane season to check for any loose tiles, especially along the edges of the roof. Also ensure that you evenly space all tiles or shingles with no apparent gaps, and you secure all nails. Loose tiles or gaps on the roof can lead to leaks, which can undermine the strength of the ceilings of your home and lead to significant water damage.
Read Up on Your Insurance Policy
When a disaster occurs, the costs of rebuilding your life can be steep. Fortunately, homeowner’s insurance offers families a chance to recover after storms. Before a hurricane strikes, be sure to familiarize yourself with your insurance policy. Be sure to understand fully what is – and isn’t – covered by your policy. Many standard policies, for instance, do not include flood insurance – meaning you may be left out of pocket should the storm surge flood your neighborhood. Additionally, some policies have provisions for named storms, which require policyholders to pay a premium for any damage which occurs from a named hurricane or tropical storm. Always read carefully, so you aren’t caught off guard.
Install Impact Windows
The best preventative measure you can take to protect your home or condo this hurricane season is to install hurricane windows, shutters, and doors. Shutters are removable protective coverings which go over existing windows. Impact windows, on the other hand, are reinforced, robust windows specifically designed to survive the impact of a category five hurricane. Impact windows have the added benefits of being energy efficient and noise-reducing, meaning they can even help you save on your energy costs and give you added privacy.
While many are concerned about the cost of impact windows, the fact is they are easily financed. Ygrene, Florida’s leading financer of PACE – the Property Assessed Clean Energy Program – offers homeowners low-cost, long-term financing for impact doors and windows. Even better, since eligibility is based on your home’s equity, virtually all homeowners are approved!
Be Worry-Free with ASP Windows
ASP Windows wants you to be worry-free this hurricane season 2019. We’re fully licensed, insured, and Ygrene certified. Contact us today at (888) 782-8342 for a free in-home estimate on our extensive range of fully customizable windows, doors, and glass.
