Florida Fall Colors: How to Secure Your Home for Hurricane Season

For Floridians, fall doesn't bring cooler weather with our pumpkin spice lattes. It marks the peak of hurricane season. While our Florida Fall Colors: Hurricane Debris t-shirt jokingly refers to hurricane debris, preparing for these powerful storms is no laughing matter. Ensuring your home is secure and your family is safe is a top priority. Let's go through some essential tips to help you get ready for hurricane season.

1. Secure Outdoor Items

One of the first steps in hurricane preparation is to secure outdoor items. High winds can turn anything outside into dangerous projectiles. Bring in lightweight items like patio furniture, grills, potted plants, and garden decorations. For heavier items that can't be moved, such as swing sets or large garden ornaments, use anchors to secure them.  I've seen some try to anchor their trampoline with sandbags, but the safest thing to do is to disassemble your trampoline.  

2. Install Storm Shutters

Windows are vulnerable points during a hurricane. To protect them, consider installing storm shutters. If you don't have storm shutters, you can use plywood as a temporary measure. Ensure it's thick enough to provide adequate protection and that it's securely fastened.

 3. Create an Emergency Kit

Having an emergency kit ready is crucial. Include essentials like water (at least one gallon per person per day), non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, medications, and a battery-powered or hand-crank radio. Don't forget to pack personal items like clothes, toiletries, and important documents.

 4. Safeguard Important Documents

Important documents such as birth certificates, insurance policies, medical records, and property deeds should be stored in a waterproof and fireproof safe. It's also a good idea to make digital copies and store them securely online. This ensures that you can access them even if the originals are damaged.

5. Prepare for Power Outages

Power outages are common during hurricanes. Consider investing in a generator to keep essential appliances running. Make sure to store enough fuel safely and know how to use the generator properly. Never use a generator inside. Additionally, it's useful to have extra batteries and chargers for your electronic devices.

6. Plan an Evacuation Route

Know your local evacuation routes and plan where you would go if you need to leave. Keep your vehicle's gas tank full and pack a "go-bag" with essentials. Stay informed through local news and weather reports, and evacuate if advised by authorities.

Conclusion

Preparing for hurricane season is a necessary part of living in Florida. While we can't control the weather, we can take steps to protect our homes and loved ones.

Show your Florida pride and hurricane preparedness with our Florida Fall Colors: Hurricane Debris t-shirt! It's a fun reminder of the importance of being ready for the season.