{"id":8071,"date":"2024-06-05T06:43:25","date_gmt":"2024-06-05T11:43:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aipflorida.com\/?p=8071"},"modified":"2024-06-05T06:43:25","modified_gmt":"2024-06-05T11:43:25","slug":"5-expert-tips-for-protecting-your-home-against-hurricane-damage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aipflorida.com\/es\/blog\/5-expert-tips-for-protecting-your-home-against-hurricane-damage\/","title":{"rendered":"5 expert tips for protecting your home against hurricane damage"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Striking images of utter destruction caused by the likes of Katrina, Irma and other catastrophic hurricanes may lead some to believe that not much can be done to protect property from such a powerful storm.<\/p>\n

However, essential steps can be taken to minimize a hurricane\u2019s impact on your home.<\/p>\n

1. Guard your windows<\/strong><\/p>\n

Entry points like doors and windows are the weakest and most vulnerable parts of your home during a major storm. Boarding up windows with storm shutters or plywood greatly reduces the likelihood of shattering.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is one of the most important things you can do, considering a broken window would leave the rest of your home [exposed] to wind, rain and flying debris,\u201d said Roman Zrazhevskiy, founder and chief executive officer of\u00a0Ready To Go Survival<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Installing impact-resistant windows is another effective, albeit costlier, option.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe design makes your windows perform much like a windshield, cracking into spider web patterns when hit, but not completely shattering,\u201d said Frank Klavon, president of glass repair and replacement services company Glass Doctor.<\/p>\n

Plywood is fairly\u00a0inexpensive<\/a>, and when installed properly, it can hold up just as well as traditional storm shutters against hurricane-force winds.<\/p>\n

Although some people opt for taping windows,\u00a0experts advise against<\/a>\u00a0this method, which provides only a false sense of security and the opportunity for larger, deadlier pieces of glass to enter a home.<\/p>\n

2. Protect property from flood damage<\/strong><\/p>\n

Flooding is the\u00a0most common natural disaster<\/a>\u00a0and can occur anywhere. When hurricanes carry drenching rainfall and deadly storm surge ashore, the chances that your home will experience some type of flood damage will skyrocket.<\/p>\n

Before hurricanes strike, people often wait in line for hours to obtain sandbags that can be placed around their home\u2019s entrances. Experts recommend piling up sandbags at least 2 feet high as an effective barricade against floodwaters.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you cannot acquire sandbags on short notice, fill a few heavy-duty garbage bags one-third of the way with water and place them side by side to supplement,\u201d Zrazhevskiy said.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also a good idea to park your vehicle on\u00a0higher ground<\/a>, if possible, before water rises.<\/p>\n

Keep in mind that if you evacuate, your home might be flooded, to some extent, when you return.<\/p>\n

\u201cThink about unplugging all of your household electronics and appliances [as well as] shutting off electricity to prevent electrical surge or potential electrocution if your home were to be flooded,\u201d said Melanie Hart, senior underwriter for USAA.<\/p>\n

Ensuring that both your home and vehicle are\u00a0insured against flood damage<\/a>\u00a0will help ease the financial stress of disaster recovery should flooding occur.<\/p>\n

3. Secure loose objects<\/strong><\/p>\n

Outdoor objects surrounding your home can become deadly airborne missiles when swept up by a hurricane\u2019s strong winds, potentially damaging you or your neighbors\u2019 properties.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Ensure that you] pick up, tie down or secure anything that could become a projectile with high winds,\u201d Hart said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThink about trimming trees to reduce any falling limbs and cleaning up things around your home and yard like potted plants, lawn furniture and children\u2019s toys, so that they don\u2019t get picked up by wind,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

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4. Prepare appliances for power outages<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

A lightning strike, short circuit or a downed electrical pole can cause your home\u2019s power voltage to soar to hundreds, or even thousands, of volts, said Doug Rogers, president of appliance repair company Mr. Appliance.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt lasts only a millisecond but can do some serious damage to your expensive kitchen appliances,\u201d Rogers said. \u201cWhile unplugging some appliances may be an option, purchasing a surge protector may be a better choice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Surge protectors help to protect your electrical devices from voltage spikes caused by surges. Rogers said that surge protectors are a more practical option than unplugging appliances days before the storm.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe food in your refrigerator will likely spoil, and dishwashers and ovens are often directly wired to the electrical supply, so a consumer may not be able to unplug those devices,\u201d Rogers said.<\/p>\n

5. Create a home inventory<\/strong><\/p>\n

Knowing exactly what items are in your home is critical to post-storm recovery in the event that your home or belongings are damaged. It\u2019s as simple as snapping cell phone photos of the contents in each of your home\u2019s rooms.<\/p>\n

\u201cRecording the item number or serial number will help you recover after the storm when you\u2019re filing a claim with your insurance company,\u201d Hart said.<\/p>\n

Some insurers make the process easier by offering free\u00a0home inventory apps<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrying to remember everything you have will be a challenge for most people, as they\u2019re also taking on the [emotional part of] dealing with recovery,\u201d Hart said.<\/p>\n

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By\u00a0Ashley Williams<\/span>, AccuWeather staff writer<\/p>\n

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