Six Things You Can Do Now to Prepare for Hurricane Season
https://youtu.be/SEY_9-7lvJw
The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season is predicted to be more active than usual and the latest outlook calls for 19 named storms, 8 hurricanes and 4 major hurricanes (category 3 or higher). For comparison, this forecast is above the 30-year average of 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes.
The official Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 to Nov 30, so now’s the time to make sure you’re prepared.
Here’s a quick list of items to check off your list ASAP.
Evacuation Plan: Know the recommended evacuation route, and keep your gas tank full.
Supplies: Keep bottled water and other supplies on hand.
Hurricane Kit: Include a first-aid kit, medications, a battery-powered radio, flashlight, batteries, whistle and local maps.
Copy Important Documents: Back up your computer, and keep copies of important documents in a safety deposit box.
Prepare Your Home: Secure or store outdoor items, and make sure your roof and shingles are in good shape to withstand strong winds.
Back Up Your Power: Determine what type of generator you need in case of a power outage.
Last year’s storms, wildfires, and concerns over COVID contributed to the fact that the portable generator industry experienced record growth last year. This year, due to the same factors and ever-changing current events, people continue to buy portable generators at a record rate. Buy early to avoid having your item on backorder and to take advantage of pre-hurricane season promotions.
When the power’s out, appliances you depend on, like your refrigerator, electric stove, lights and A/C can’t be used. Your food will go bad if you lose power to your refrigerator and replacing all of it is incredibly expensive. If you can’t charge your phone, use your computer or tune in to the local news, you’ll be cut off from communication, which is vital during a hurricane power outage. If you can’t cool your home because the power’s out, staying home could get unbearable, plus high temperatures and humidity can damage your home’s interior.
A reliable generator ensures peace of mind during a power outage caused by a hurricane. There are two main types of generators for hurricanes: portable and home standby.
A portable generator is perfect if you only want to back up a few essentials. Portable generators come in different sizes, run on either gasoline, propane or even natural gas, and don’t need to be installed.
If you’d like to power more than just the essentials, or even your whole home, consider a home standby generator. Standbys are connected to your propane or natural gas system and never need refueling. Your home standby generator starts automatically when the power goes out and returns to standby when power is restored, ensuring security and convenience for your family during a hurricane power outage.
Having a safe source of power during an emergency is priceless since now more than ever, the security and safety of your family is more important than anything else.