Anyone who lives in Florida knows that there are more than four seasons in our state. Beyond the normal four seasons, we also have a hurricane season, which traditionally runs from June 1^st through the end of November. However, the severest and most frequent hurricanes historically occur from August through October, which is right around the corner. If you live in Florida, it is time to begin preparing your home for the months ahead.

Checklist to Prepare for Hurricane Season

According to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, there are ways that every person in Florida can prepare for hurricane season. While you cannot prevent these natural disasters from occurring, you can do your best to protect yourself, your family, and your property. Here is a basic checklist of what you can do to prepare for the next few months when the risk of hurricanes is at its highest.

Stock Up on Supplies

When hurricanes hit, you may not have access to food, water, medications, and other supplies. You should always keep two weeks of necessities in stock for you and your family. Some of the supplies you want on hand include:

• Non-perishable food for family and pets
• Bottled water
• Medication and devices
• Batteries
• Paper and disposable plates or utensils
• First aid kit

A backup supply of these items should be kept year-round, but it is even more important this time of year.

Technology Back-Up

When the power is out, you may not have access to information stored in electronic devices. It is a good idea to have a non-electronic method of saving needed information in case your phone cannot be recharged or you cannot access computers or storage devices. These include:

• Phone numbers to family, doctors, schools, and emergency agencies
• Insurance information
• Medical device manufacturer and replacement information
• Medical records
• Medication types and dosages
• Banking information
• Will and other personal documents

All these documents need to be kept in an easily accessible waterproof container.

Items to Have in Your Home

If you do not already have these items in your home in Florida, now is the time to ensure you have what you need. These include flashlights, rain gear, extra phone chargers, non-electronic entertainment items for kids, carriers for pets, extra sets of keys, and extra fuel for your vehicle. You should also have a stash of cash as you may not be able to access ATMs or use credit cards during an emergency.

Preparing Your Home

It is not possible to prevent all damage to your home when a severe hurricane hits, but there are methods to enhance the structure of your home. Components that should be strengthened include your garage door, windows (shutters), soffits, and roof.

Call Us After a Hurricane Hits

At Going Green Restoration, we want you to be safe and secure when the next hurricane lands in Florida. Once the storm has moved on, we are here to help you pick up the pieces and restore your home. We offer water damage restoration, mold removal, and reconstruction services to help you overcome the effects of a hurricane on your home. Call us first to begin the recovery process – we serve the greater Orlando, FL area.