Hurricane season is upon us once more. The perfect time to remind yourself of the steps you can (and should!) take now to ensure you and your home get through the season with minimal risk.
With a little planning, you can shore up your home or business premises and get the supplies together that you may need. Stay safe!
Do you have a plan?
According to the Government of New Brunswick, there are three vital components to being prepared for an emergency:
- Know the risks, including secondary risks such as landslides and flooding
- Make a plan (the Red Cross has a great template)
- Create an emergency kit
The provincial governments are usually very good at communicating the potential risks, but it is up to you to make a plan. What will you do? Where will you go? Have you informed your other family members?
Emergency kit creation
While you shouldn't take stockpiling to an extreme (it can cause store shortages that prevent people from getting what they need), putting some necessities aside in your designated safe space is good sense. Necessities should include enough food and water for your family for three days, flashlights and plenty of batteries, candles and a lighter, a radio, a fully stocked first aid kit, and cash (in case ATMs aren't working). If you have a baby, include infant formula and diapers, and if you are on prescription medications, put those within reach too.
Secure your home
There are plenty of steps you can take ahead of schedule to minimize the risks of and mitigate the damage from storms. Your insurance company will also look more favourably at those who have taken steps versus those who didn’t.
Don’t leave loose items in your yard – these can become flying projectiles damaging people and homes.
Do have security window film fitted – if your glass is broken or cracked, it will remain in place, with no collateral damage from glass shards.
Don’t leave windows or doors open – once a storm warning has been issued, don’t chance the potential damage of a door coming off its hinges or a window breaking.
Do seal your foundations or build drainage ditches – flooding is often a secondary risk and can create untold damage.
Useful links:
GNB Storm Preparedness (external link)
Canadian Hurricane Centre forecasts (external link)
Your Guide to Hurricane Window Protection
Ready for the storms?
Whatever actions you decide to take, act quickly to ensure you are prepared in time. If you want to know more about security film and why we featured it in our hurricane protection tips, we love to talk about window film and can give you a free quote for your home or business. Maritime Window Film Specialists is a family-owned business with more than 40 years of experience. We know what works and only use top-quality products. Window films have changed a lot since we began, but our dedication to our customers has not. Book your quote today!
Think window film; think Maritime Window Film Specialists.
