How to Prepare Your Luxury Home for Hurricane Season

Hurricane season runs from June 1 - November 30th and homeowners in Florida must take measures to safeguard their properties. Taking these precautions early can help to protect your investment and keep your family as comfortable as possible. Let's look at some tips for protecting your home and family during hurricane season.

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Protect Your Windows

Windows are one of the most vulnerable parts of your home during a hurricane. Consider installing impact-resistant glass or storm shutters to begin your hurricane season prep. Impact-resistant glass is specially designed to withstand the impact of flying debris and is a great option for homeowners who want to maintain the aesthetic appeal of their luxury homes. Storm shutters are another option that can be easily installed on the exterior of your windows to protect them from wind and debris.

Install a Reinforced Garage Door

If you have a garage, it's a good idea to install a reinforced garage door to protect your property from wind and debris. Consider investing in a garage door that is rated to withstand Category 4 hurricanes.

Secure Your Property

Outdoor furniture and decorations can easily become dangerous projectiles during a hurricane. Strong winds can easily lift them up and cause damage to your home, nearby structures, or even people. Therefore, you should take proper precautions to secure these items before a storm hits. The first step in securing outdoor furniture and decorations is to store them in a safer location.

If you are unable to move your outdoor furniture and decorations to a safer location, then make sure they are properly secured in place. This can be done by using strong ropes, bungee cords, or chains to tie down chairs, tables, umbrellas, and other loose items to a solid structure such as a tree, fence post, or the ground.

Before a storm, you should also trim any trees or shrubs near your property to prevent them from breaking and becoming airborne. This will not only help protect your property but also prevent any potential hazards to nearby structures and people.

Protect Your Roof

One of the most vulnerable parts of a luxury home is its roof. To ensure it is protected from wind and debris, consider installing hurricane straps to reinforce it. For shingle roofs, consider investing in stronger shingles that can resist stronger winds and debris. 

Get Reliable Backup Power With a Storm-Ready Generator 

Power outages are common during hurricanes and can last for days or weeks afterward. It is crucial to have a generator in place that will at least meet your family's most basic needs (e.g., refrigerator, A/C, etc.). Ensure that you have an ample fuel supply for any possible extended outages.

Create an Emergency Plan

In addition to preparing your home, you should create an emergency plan with your family. Make sure that everyone in your family knows the evacuation routes, where to meet up, and the steps to take if the power goes out.

You should also prepare an emergency kit. Preparing a go bag or evacuation kit is crucial in case you need to evacuate your home. Include essential supplies like food, water, and medications for at least 72 hours, along with clothing, personal items, important documents, emergency tools, comfort items, and other essentials. Keep the go bag in an accessible location, such as by the front door or in the trunk of your car, and regularly review and update its contents. Being prepared with a go bag can help ensure your safety and comfort during an evacuation.

At Steven Anthony Luxury Homes, we recognize the seriousness of hurricanes and are committed to guiding our clients on the appropriate steps to prepare their homes for impending storms. By preparing your home for hurricane season, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your home is ready to withstand the elements.