Hurricane season is here, and with it comes the risk of damaging storms in coastal areas. While your primary goal should be emergency supplies and an evacuation plan to keep you and your family safe, there are also some steps to take to protect your home from catastrophic damage.
One of the biggest keys to protecting your home from damage is to secure the windows. Why is this important? For one, once the windows shatter, the high winds enter the house, wreaking havoc and causing interior damage. The most important reason is that as hurricane winds blow into the house, it creates upward pressure on the roof. This pressure may be enough to blow the roof off – which will likely lead to the total destruction of your home.
The ideal way to protect your windows is to install heavy duty wood or metal storm shutters. This can be quite an investment, but one that will pay off in protection, as well as the ability to quickly respond to the threat. Alternatively, you can use marine plywood attached to your home’s exterior. It is recommended that you have these pieces purchased, cut, and pre-drilled/ready to install before a hurricane watch is in place. If you wait until danger is bearing down on you, it may be too late.
Some other tips to protect your home during a hurricane:
Remove dead trees or tree limbs on your property
Be aware if your home is in a storm surge danger area
Create a “safe room” in your house
Keep battery powered radios, flashlights, and extra batteries on hand.
Carbon monoxide (CO) in your home can be a quiet, deadly killer. You can’t see or smell it, but in high enough levels, it can kill someone in moments. CO is produced whenever any fuel is burned – oil, gas, wood, charcoal, etc…Typically, the amount released into your home environment from well-maintained and properly operating appliances, but still hundreds of people die every year from CO poisoning.
Symptoms of CO poisoning:
dizziness
confusion
nausea
fainting
If you suspect CO poisoning – get to fresh air, and get an emergency room quickly. Be sure to let the doctor know you suspect CO poisoning.
Prevention is the best way to avoid CO Poisoning
Have your fuel burning appliances checked regularly
Don’t idle your car in your garage
Choose appliances that vent outside whenever possible
Follow all instructions on your fuel burning appliances
Install CO detectors
Don’t ignore any symptoms, especially if multiple members of the household experience them
Did you know, every year there are around 10,000 fireworks related injuries in the US? On top of that, they can put you at risk for damaging your home or starting brush or forest fires.
We want you to have a good time this holiday weekend, but we also want you to be safe! That’s why we looked to the National Council on Fireworks Safety to provide some good tips to stay safe this 4th of July!
1) Use fireworks outdoors only
2) Obey local laws – many communities down allow you to shoot fireworks!
3) Watch for burn/fire bans in your area!
4) Only use fireworks as intended
5) Alcohol and Fireworks DO NOT MIX.
6) Use common sense – stay a safe distance away from lit fireworks
Hurricane season is upon us, after a violent spring storm season. Hopefully, we’ve seen the worst of the severe weather for the year, but it pays to be prepared.
The NWS National Hurricane Center has some great resources for learning more about hurricanes, their dangers, and safety precautions you should take.
It will help you identify the main questions you need to be able to answer if you are in a hurricane prone area:
What are the Hurricane Hazards?
What does it mean to you?
What actions should you take to be prepared?
You should also consider calling your insurance agent or customer service department to make sure you have the appropriate coverage in case disaster strikes!
Ingredients – 4 cups diced watermelon
– 1 seeded and sliced cucumber
– handful of thinly sliced mint
– 1/2 cup thinly sliced jicima
– 1/4 cup olive oil
– juice of 1/2 of a lemon
– salt to taste
– crumbled goat cheese
– 1/4 cup chopped cashews – optional
Directions
Pat dry 4 cups diced watermelon and 1 seeded and sliced cucumber; toss with a handful of thinly sliced mint and jicima. Optional: add chopped cashews to the salad. Add 1/4 cup olive oil and the juice of 1/2 lemon; season with salt and toss. Top with crumbled goat cheese.
Did you know, every year there are around 10,000 fireworks related injuries in the US? On top of that, they can put you at risk for damaging your home or starting brush or forest fires.
– 4 cups diced watermelon