Living here in Northeast Florida, hurricane season is just part of life. Most storms end up being nothing more than a lot of rain and wind. But every once in a while, one reminds us why it's important to be prepared.
One thing I've learned over the years is that waiting until a storm is headed our way is usually too late. The stores run out of supplies, contractors get booked up, and everyone is trying to do the same things at the same time.
That's why August is a good time to take a walk around your home and make sure everything is in good shape.
You don't have to spend a fortune. Most of the things I recommend are simple maintenance items that many homeowners have been meaning to get around to anyway.
Take a look at your gutters. Are they full of leaves? If they can't drain properly, heavy rain has nowhere to go.
Check your outdoor lighting. If you lose power overnight, working exterior lights can make getting around your property much safer once power is restored.
Walk around the yard and look for loose branches that could come down during high winds. Bring in lightweight patio furniture before a storm arrives instead of chasing it across the neighborhood afterward.
Inside the house, make sure your flashlights actually work. Replace the batteries if they're weak. If you have smoke detectors that have been chirping for weeks, now is the time to take care of them.
For my senior clients, I also recommend looking at your home from a safety standpoint. If the power goes out, can you safely get from your bedroom to the bathroom? Are there throw rugs that could become trip hazards? Are walkways clear if you needed to move around with only a flashlight?
These aren't expensive improvements, but they can make a real difference when the unexpected happens.
The biggest thing is this: don't panic when the Weather Channel starts talking about the next tropical system. If you've taken care of the little things ahead of time, you'll have one less thing to worry about.
At AIP Home Pros, that's really what we're about. We help homeowners stay ahead of problems instead of reacting to them after they've already become emergencies.
A little preventive maintenance today is usually a whole lot cheaper—and a whole lot less stressful—than dealing with repairs after the storm has passed.
