If you live in a region prone to hurricanes, fitting your home for storm safety should be a top priority. When severe weather hits, your house is only as strong as its structures. Keep your family secure by installing specialty products, such as hurricane doors, and taking other damage prevention measures. Not sure where to start? Let this guide teach you the basics of hurricane home safety.
- Install Impact Windows: When high speed winds are stirring around your home, strong windows are a key line of defense. In some tests, impact windows have withstood category 5 winds and the resulting flying debris.
- Add Impact Doors: Much like your windows, hurricane doors are an essential layer of protection. Install impact doors as soon as possible and make sure that the door frame is sturdy as well.
- Reinforce Your Roof: A detached roof is one of the most devastating home damages resulting from a hurricane. Install anchors or adhesive to keep your roof in place. If you haven’t already, make sure that your roof is shaped to allow full water drainage.
- Clean The Yard: As hurricanes tend to pick up loose objects, make sure your yard is free of debris. Be diligent about picking up fallen branches and other miscellaneous yard objects. If you hear that a hurricane is coming, bring any outdoor furniture inside of your garage or home.
- Buy A Generator: Power outages are common during hurricanes, as wind and falling trees can easily knock out entire power lines. By installing a generator, you can keep your family out of the dark until electrical repairs are made. As storms differ in impact, a generator will have you covered for even the longest outage.
If you are having any doubts about your homes safety measures, speak with a home safety inspector about how you can improve. In addition to installing impact windows and doors, and reinforcing other home features, be sure to have an evacuation plan in the event of a true emergency. When a storm could be too severe for even the most reinforced homes, it is best to get out of the area completely. Inform your family of this plan and what else they can do to keep themselves safe during a storm.