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Are you ready? It’s time to get your hurricane season game on and knock out everything you can before it gets here! This may feel like a long list, but even growing up in Florida, a few of these were new to me. If this list feels overwhelming, try to tackle one category every few days or split the list with your spouse and make sure everything gets off. If you’re finding this at a time when hurricanes are not a threat, then you can get ahead of the game. Many of these tips are things that you could do months ahead of time (such as having all your important documents in one place).
Here are 27 hurricane prep tips for this time of year.
27 Hurricane Prep Tips
Water
- Wash all trash cans, big and small, and fill with water for flushing toilets. Keep them in bathrooms.
- Fill all tubs and sinks with water. If possible, also fill your washing machine with water and leave the lid open (so it doesn’t run).
- Fill drinking cups, water bottles, travel mugs with water and store in the fridge or cover with cling wrap on the counter. Use these first over store-bought bottled water.
- Raid the recycling bin and wash out old milk jugs, juice bottles and other bottles. Fill with water and freeze. Make sure to leave a small space that top so the container doesn’t crack as the water expands. (Note: this water is not for drinking unless bottles were sanitized first).
- Put any extra bottles in the bathrooms, filled with water so you can wash your hands.
- Don’t forget about the water needs of your pets as you fill bottles and containers!
Fridge/Freezer
- Empty and bag any ice in your ice maker now. When it gets full, l keep emptying it and storing so you have extra ice. You won’t be able to find any once the storm hits.
- Fill ANY extra space in your freezer with bottles of water (see tip above) or even Ziploc bags of water. They will freeze and help keep things colder longer.
- Clean out any expiring food now. That includes 4/5 eaten ice cream cartons. This makes room for more water and ice.
- Pre-cook any meats and other perishable foods now and freeze. Ground beef, chicken tenders, and hot dogs are the easiest to warm up on the grill later.
- Hard boil any eggs to eat the first day.
- Make sure you have a manual can opener and paper plates!
Power
- Charge any device now that provides light: laptops, tablets, cameras, video cameras, and old phones. Old cell phones can still be used for dialing 911. Charge external battery back ups.
- Lower your A/C temp and the temp in your fridge before the storm comes.
- Gather all candles, matches, lighters, batteries and other items to one location.
- Refill any propane tanks. Consider getting an extra one.
- Run the dishwasher and empty it before the storm.
- Unplug any electronic devices to be safe from power surges and lightening.
- If you run a generator, it MUST NOT be indoors or in a garage.
Home
- Put towels, rags, beach towels etc. on all window sills and in front of doors to collect water that seeps in during strong wind.
- Put any important documents that you aren’t taking with you in sealed storage bags inside a storage container and place in the top of a second story closet. If that is not an option, consider placing the container in your dishwasher and shut the door to seal it.
- Bring in any outdoor items that could get blown around in strong winds. Pay attention to basketball goals and trampolines!
- Clean out drains, gutters, and downspouts.
- Trim branches of trees that look like they could damage your home or car.
Evacuation Tips
- Fill up your car fuel tank and any extra gas cans. Check tire pressure and oil.
- Sign up for free emergency alerts from your local government.
- Have enough cash to pay any tolls needed and to eat two meals if needed. With large storms, credit card systems will go down in some areas.
- Refill any medications now.
- Place wallets, medications, snacks and change of clothes in a backpack.
- Take pictures of important documents and email them to yourself.
- If you have time, take a video of each room of your house to help with claims and proof of ownership.
- Share any evacuation plans with family members.
