How to Hurricane Proof Your Home

When most people think about living near the beach, they likely think of easy-going days, sunsets, margaritas, and warm, sunny weather. While that’s true, coastal living has a particularly deadly enemy, and we aren’t talking about sharks.

Hurricane season.

In the United States, hurricane season exists through the summer and fall and typically causes over $34 billion in damages each year.

Here are the top 10 states that have the most hurricane activity:

1. Florida
2. Texas
3. North Carolina
4. Louisiana
5. South Carolina
6. Alabama
7. Georgia
8. Mississippi
9. New York
10. Massachusetts

If you live on the coast of one of these states, you’ll want to make sure your home is hurricane-proof in the event that one of these massive storms descends upon your area this year – and the years to come!

Here are 5 simple things you can do to prepare your home for hurricane season.

1. Install hurricane-proof windows
   Windows are among the most vulnerable parts of your home during a hurricane. If one of your windows are blown out, you could be at risk of injury from broken glass and debris flying in from outside. Most new homes that are built in coastal cities are required to have hurricane-proof windows, but older homes might still have their original windows. When shopping for hurricane-proof windows, make sure they have a design pressure (DP) rating of at least 50. This will ensure that your window can withstand 200-MPH winds, and 75-pounds of pressure. You can also opt to have hurricane shutters installed on your home if you don’t want to replace your windows or for added protection.
2. Keep necessities on hand
   You should expect your power to go out at least once during hurricane season. In the event that this happens, you’ll want to be prepared. Have a bag of emergency items like flashlights, non-perishable foods, candles, lighters, dry clothing, comfortable shoes, and extra batteries. You will also want to consider having a Duracell Portable Power Station in your emergency kit so you can charge your cell phones, laptops, and other necessary electronics.
3. Have a metal roof installed
   Hurricanes can easily blow roofs clear off of houses and large pieces of debris can cause serious damage. Metal roofs are much harder to damage than traditional asphalt shingle roofs and they require less maintenance throughout the year. Metal roofs can resist winds up to 140-MPH, they’re easy to clean, and they don’t rot or rust.
4. Secure your HVAC system
   If you’ve ever been in Florida without air conditioning in the summertime, you know how dreadful it can be. Make sure your air conditioning unit(s) are protected with hurricane straps or cages before the storm hits. It’s also a good idea to have your HVAC system inspected before hurricane season so you can reinforce any weaknesses.
5. Keep the yard clean
   If the hurricane winds are strong enough, they’re going to blow everything in your yard into your house, down the street, and possibly even into the ocean! Make sure your yard is free of toys and other leisure items at the first sign of a storm.

Hurricane season is unavoidable, but you can still enjoy your regular comforts when a storm hits! Duracell Power has power that you can depend on anywhere, anytime.