Hurricane season officially begins on June 1, which means the time to start getting ready for a potential hurricane is right now. The better prepared you are, the more likely you are to avoid catastrophe if and when a hurricane or other major storm strikes. Here is how you can prepare your home to be ready for hurricane season:

Have an emergency supply of food, water, and medicine

1. - If you are facing a hurricane, there is a good chance you will not be able to access clean water or fresh food for a prolonged period. For this reason, you should stock up on non-perishable food and bottled water, enough to potentially last a week. You should also make sure to have a backup supply of essential medications, if you can.

Check smoke detectors and CO detectors

1. - A surprising number of homes are damaged during hurricane season by fires, rather than direct damage from the storm itself. These can happen from people operating generators or portable stoves, or can occur due to downed power lines or other hazards. Checking your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors can ensure you are alerted to any fires quickly, so you can respond appropriately.

Install storm shutters and replace old doors and windows

1. - If you can, you should install storm shutters on your windows to protect against storm damage. You can also replace old windows with tempered glass, which are less likely to shatter during the storm, and replace old doors (including garage doors) with ones that are more resistant to the wind. If you cannot afford these measures, sealing and boarding up windows and doors can help protect your home from storm damage.

Create an emergency plan, including evacuation plans

1. - If you do not already have an emergency plan for handling storms, make sure to have one for this hurricane season. These plans should include knowing a safe place in your home to go to during a storm, preferably a location without any windows. It should also include an evacuation plan in case you are forced to flee your home.

Have a “go bag” ready, just in case

- If there is an evacuation order for your location, a prepared “go bag” can ensure you are ready to leave at a moment’s notice. This go bag should include a first aid kit, spare clothing, a radio, a flashlight, spare batteries, and anything else you may need if you need to find shelter. That way, you can be as ready as possible to protect yourself and your loved ones during this hurricane season.

Anytime your home or other dwelling has been ruined or severely damaged, it is essential that you protect your property and the interest of your investment by enlisting the services of a Rubin and Rosen public adjuster. We can provide the assistance you need by helping you to work through the entire insurance process. If you want to make a property insurance claim and need assistance to obtain fair compensation for your losses, please give us a call at 718-376-6800 or visit our contact page.

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