How to Protect your Beach Home during Hurricane Season

Here are a few tips to help keep your home safe during Hurricane Season:

• Hurricane winds can cause trees and branches to fall-- trim or remove damaged trees and limbs to keep you and your property safe.

• Secure loose rain gutters and downspouts and clear any clogged areas or debris to prevent water damage to your property.

• Reduce property damage by retrofitting to secure and reinforce the roof, windows and doors, including the garage doors.

• Either board up windows or protect them with storm shutters.

• Bring outdoor furniture, garbage cans, and other moveable objects into the house or tie them down very securely.

• Purchase a portable generator or install a generator for use during power outages. Remember to keep generators and other alternate power/heat sources outside, at least 20 feet away from windows and doors and protected from moisture; and NEVER try to power the house wiring by plugging a generator into a wall outlet.

• Take photos of your house inside and out to assist in settling insurance claims and to prove uninsured losses for tax deductions.

• If your area floods frequently, always have a good stock of sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting and lumber to protect your property.

For more hurricane prepardness information visit: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/ready.ph