If it’s fall, that means it’s hurricane season, at least for residents of New Jersey and up and down the East Coast. And that means many of your friends and neighbors are preparing for hurricane season by shoring up their property, buying supplies and tuning up their generators so they’re as ready as they can be if a storm heads their way. But what if you’re not the “preparing” type and you’re more prone to wait until the last minute before taking action? Does that mean you’re in for the worst? Not at all. Even if a hurricane is expected to hit within the next day or so, there are still things you can – and should – do to ensure you and your loved ones are prepared:
- First, know your evacuation routes, and if you’re near the shore or another area where flooding is expected, consider leaving now, before flooding and washed-out roads make leaving an impossibility. If you plan on staying put for now, make sure your car has gas just in case.
- Board up windows and glass doors to protect yourself from shattering glass if an object like a tree limb or wind-borne lawn furniture comes crashing in. Make sure your own lawn furniture, grills or other outdoor objects are put away or firmly secured to the ground or another secure object.
- Fill containers with clean water in case flooding causes issues with your own water supply. Having containers filled with water is especially important if you depend on a well and pump for your water supply.
- Dig out your flashlights, check the batteries and lay in a supply of fresh batteries and canned goods. Don’t forget pet food and water as well. Also make sure you have plenty of blankets on hand in case you wind up without any heat.
- If you have a generator, now is a good time to make sure you have plenty of fuel. If your generator is portable, make sure the cord used to power it is in good shape, and if you haven’t run it in some time, give it a trial run to make sure it’s in working order. Always keep a few supplies on hand to make minor repairs to your generator if needed.
Of course, the best time to prepare for a hurricane is long before a hurricane is expected, before your neighbors hit the stores and deplete them of flashlights, bottled water and canned goods. But by using common sense and taking a few important precautions, you can help ensure that you and your loved ones are well prepared to take the important steps you need to take to weather the storm.
And of course, if you have a generator and you want to be extra safe and sound this hurricane season, you can give us a call right now for all your generator needs, including parts and service so you can feel confident it will be ready when you need it.