July 7, 2021
Agency
Keeping Your Family Safe This Hurricane Season
To those in North Carolina, hurricanes are no joke. These storms can leave unpredictable damage, from a few downed trees to flattened neighborhoods. We all know to take this summertime weather threat seriously. Doing so is critical to our safety. What are some of the things you can do now to prepare in case a hurricane develops?
Family preparedness goes a long way towards minimizing a storm’s impact on your loved ones. Therefore, families![hurricane ahead sign](”https://www.amatoinsurancegroup.com/img/~www.downeastins.com/Blog_Images/hurricane.jpg")
should think about what they need to do to stay safe during storms.
Safety Risks During Hurricanes
High winds, rain and flooding from hurricanes can all cause massive property losses. They can have detrimental effects to you personally. If a hurricane destroys your home or business, you might no longer have a lot of security. You might lose money, possessions, and your family’s wellness could even come under threat.
Do everything you can to keep your loved ones safe if a storm strikes. That means creating a safety plan.
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Make sure your homeowners insurance provides coverage for severe weather. Check if it covers common hurricane damage (i.e. hail, wind, lightning). Remember, most policies don’t automatically include flood insurance. If you live in a flood zone, make sure you get a separate flood policy.
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Verify that other costly assets, such as your car or boat, also have insurance for weather damage. For example, you might need to add comprehensive coverage to your auto insurance policy to have this protection.
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Create an emergency kit to use in case hurricanes threaten. Store these items in a waterproof area. They might include:
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Copies of your home insurance policy, health insurance policy, and other important paperwork
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A supply of fresh drinking water, preferably bottled water
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Nonperishable food items
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Batteries or a generator
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A radio or battery-operated television
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Emergency contact phone numbers, such as the numbers for police and local fire and rescue
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First aid supplies, including any prescription medication or special medical equipment
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Prepare your home before a storm hits. You might need to create artificial dams using sandbags or board up windows. Move valuables to secure, watertight areas.
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If any evacuation orders occur, heed them. In most cases, it’s better to evacuate before a storm, rather than ride it out. Don’t put yourself in harm’s way. You often can take particularly valuable items with you, and thus guard them from harm.
With the appropriate care, you can keep your family safe before, during and after a hurricane. Keep a close eye on the forecast. If you see trouble brewing, know that it’s time to take action.