In the United States, the severe storm season lasts from June 1 to November 1. Especially if you live on the coast, you must prepare your house for high winds and flooding during the offseason. Follow these three steps to ensure that you’re safe before the next hurricane makes landfall.
1. Inspect Your House’s Exterior
Every door, window, and skylight presents an opportunity for water to enter your house. Entries made of glass, such as sliding doors and windows, are easily shattered by flying branches or falling trees. Invest in storm shutters to protect exposed glass, and replace ordinary doors with impact doors West Palm Beach.
2. Stock Up on Food
When heavy storms hit, you don’t know how long it will be until it’s safe to drive to the store again. Furthermore, some storms cause flooding that blocks roads and closes groceries for days. Stock up on plenty of nonperishable foods such as canned meats, soups, fruits, and vegetables. Monitor the expiration dates on your cans as storm seasons pass; you don’t want to add food poisoning to your list of emergencies. Also, don’t forget extra food for any pets.
3. Pick Up Medical Supplies
Hurricanes and tornadoes are likely to limit your access to medical care. Make sure that your prescription medications aren’t empty before a storm hits, and stock up on essentials such as bandages, gauze, and antiseptic wipes. Other must-have medical equipment includes pain killers, thermometers, and butterfly bandages. If you experience especially severe storms, consider taking a first aid course from the Red Cross or another professional organization so that you can care for your family during floods.
Staying safe during storm season is a year-long endeavor. By taking these three steps seriously, you create a secure environment for your family during hurricanes and tornadoes.
