Jan 1, 2008 11:00 am US/Central
Hurricane Preparedness - Protect Your Home
(CBS)
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A man looks at the sea before the arrival of Hurricane Dean on Maracaibo Beach, Veracruz, Mexico, Aug. 22, 2007.
Luis Acosta/AFP/Getty Images
Though no amount of preparation will guarantee your safety in a hurricane, you can take steps to increase the likelihood your home and property will be less affected by the storm's strong winds.
In addition to making your home is
adequately insured against property damage and flooding, safety officials recommend you do some work around your yard:
- Trim trees and bushes before a hurricane threatens. Make sure to dispose of all cut branches right away, because they can become projectiles in a storm. Proper trimming of trees and shrubs allows the wind to blow through easily. Do not cut severely prune, or hat-rack, trees.
- Plan to bring in or tie down outside items, including patio furniture, garbage cans, potted plants, and mailboxes.
- Assign responsibility for these items to family members as part of your hurricane plan.Plan to take down your TV or ham radio antenna if you have one. Be especially careful if it is near the power line to your home. The threat of electrocution is very real.
- Inspect your roof for loose tiles or shingles. Remove any debris.
- Know the location of the main circuit breaker, water valve and gas valve.
- Back up important computer files regularly. Keep backup diskettes in a waterproof container.
- Have plenty of large plastic garbage bags on hand to wrap or cover electronic equipment, including your VCR and your computer's central processing unit and monitor. Buy the extra-heavy duty "contractor bags." Put the wrapped or covered electronics in an interior closet.
- Photograph or videotape your home and your personal belongings to help document any losses. Put copies, negatives or tapes in a waterproof container or a safe deposit box. You can also send them for safekeeping to a friend or relative who lives out of town.
- Install or practice putting up hurricane shutters to make sure they fit and that you have all the parts. If you plan to use removable shutters, keep track of how long it takes to install them. This will give you an idea of how much time you will need when there is a hurricane warning. It's also great practice for when you might have to do it in a hurry.
- If you have a pool and a storm is about to hit, add extra chlorine to the water to prevent contamination and turn off the circuit breaker. If you have an exposed pump, wrap it securely with plastic sheeting.
For more information, visit FEMA's Web site, "
Protect Your Home, Property Or Business From Natural Disaster."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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