Living in Southwest Florida comes with two things: lots of sunshine and hurricane season. Although there’s no way to prevent a storm from striking, there are ways you can protect your home from damage.
For this blog post, we wanted to address some of the ways you can be proactive.
Windows first
Anyone who lives in SWFL can tell you that windows and entryways are among the most vulnerable parts of a home when a hurricane strikes. If the weather forecasters are warning that a big storm is about to make landfall, it’s best to board everything up. Plywood and storm shutters play an important role, because they help prevent glass from shattering.
Homeowners who skip this step often find that broken glass, rainwater and debris is scattered throughout their residence. This can be as alarming as it is expensive to repair. If a storm is on the way and you’re unable to tackle this job on your own, a home watch service may be able to help.
Store your patio furniture
Hurricanes and high-speed winds go hand in hand. If you have patio furniture in your back yard, it’s best to have that stored before a storm arrives. This will help prevent your lawn chairs and tables from turning into flying projectiles.
Make sure you have a home inventory
Regardless as to how much advance planning you do, you won’t be able to prevent all damage from happening. As such, you’ll want to have a full home inventory on hand to provide to your insurance company, just in case. One of the best ways to accomplish this is to take photographs of the items that are in each room of your house or condo. These photos should be stored in the cloud or in another safe, secure location. You’ll also want to jot down a list of what you’ve photographed along with the approximate cost of each item.
Hire a home watch company
Whether you’re a part-time resident or a full-time Floridian who will be traveling for a few months, a home watch service can help keep your home safe and secure in your absence. When you work with Fritz Home Watch you’ll have the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have a team of experienced professionals that are on-the-ground, who will care for your home as if it’s their own.
For more information on us or our company, call or email today to learn more.