Although New Hampshire isn’t particularly prone to hurricanes, every once in awhile a major storm threatens our area, from Hurricane Irene in 2011 to Hurricane Sandy this year. Considering the unpredictable nature of natural disasters, it’s always important to be prepared. Use the following hurricane safety tips to help you prepare for a hurricane, before, during and after a storm occurs:
Before a Hurricane
Familiarize yourself with your area’s evacuation plans to ensure that you know where to go in the event that you need to evacuate your home.- Develop a family communication plan so you and your loved ones know how to get in touch with one another after the storm passes.
- If time permits, trim your trees and shrubs to make them more wind resistant, reducing the chances of them causing damage to your home.
- Stock up on bottled water and nonperishable food items. Be sure you have a battery-operated radio, flashlights, lanterns, and extra batteries for all of these items.
- Cover windows and doors, and relocate any outdoor furniture and other portable objects to a secure spot inside.
- Check your home inventory to make sure it has been updated to accurately reflect your current possessions. It should include a description of each of your belongings, each item’s approximate value, along with a photograph. Free mobile apps and software programs like the Insurance Information Institute’s Know Your Stuff – Home Inventory software, will help you simplify the task of creating and updating your home inventory.
During the Storm
- Keep your battery-operated radio close by and tune in for updates on the storm and important evacuation information.
- Remain indoors, only leaving your home if travel is absolutely necessary.
- Within your home, stay away from glass windows and doors. It’s best to remain in an interior room without windows if possible.
- Don’t be fooled by a lull in the storm. This tranquil period is usually the eye of the storm passing by, and signifies that the rest of the storm is on its way.
- Should you lose power, it’s best to use flashlights or battery-operated lanterns instead of candles to illuminate your home.
After a Hurricane Passes
- Remain indoors. Do not leave your home until authorities have deemed it safe to return outdoors. If you have evacuated your home, remain outside until authorities confirm that it’s safe to return indoors.
- If your home has sustained damage that you need to inspect, be sure to wear sturdy shoes and protective clothing. If the damage is substantial, considering hiring a professional to conduct the inspection.
- Continue to use flashlights instead of candles, and do not try to turn on electrical switches.
- If your home has flooded, check to make sure snakes and other animals haven’t made their way inside with the waters.
- Drink only bottled water until tap water is deemed safe.
- Take photographs of any damage to your home and report the damages to your insurance agent as soon as possible.
There are many precautions you can take to help prepare for a hurricane, but when it comes to protecting your home and valuable belongings, one of the most important steps to take is ensuring that you have sufficient coverage. Although a standard home insurance policy includes damage caused by a wind storm, it typically does not include flood coverage. Considering that just a few inches of rain can cause significant damage to your home, it may be beneficial to invest in a separate flood insurance policy to protect your property against the heavy rainfall that hurricanes bring.
However, it’s important to remember that as insurance agents, we do not have the authority from our insurance company partners to issue new policies or increase coverage limits when a storm warning has been issued. For this reason, it’s crucial to ensure that you have adequate coverage in place before a storm warning is issued. Prior to the beginning of hurricane season, which typically lasts from June to November, it’s a good idea to review your coverage with your agent to make sure you’ll have sufficient protection in the event that a natural disaster strikes. To get a free quote for flood insurance or home insurance in Hillsboro NH or the surrounding area, or to review your existing coverage, please contact us today.
At Knapton, Reade & Woods, the protection of your home and meaningful assets is important to us. For additional hurricane safety tips and related safety information, please read our blog, or visit us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+.
