If you live in a coastal area, you should be familiar with hurricanes and the devastation they cause. Hurricanes can be extremely hazardous and damaging, given that they’re usually accompanied by other natural disasters like a tornado, flood, or heavy rain.
Hurricanes mostly happen during summer, but before a hurricane season, most people take precautionary measures like stocking up their refrigerator with long-life foods and getting other goods like flashlights. Generally, hurricane seasons come with a lot of panic. However, you can make your home comfortable for you and your family members during this difficult time. Continue reading to learn how to stay comfortable during hurricane season.
Run a maintenance check on your HVAC system.
As a proactive homeowner, it’s essential to have the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system up and running, especially during summer. You don’t want your HVAC system damaged or destroyed by the storm surge that comes with most hurricanes. No doubt, HVAC systems can be expensive to fix or replace. So, the best way to learn how to handle home comfort during hurricane season is to use some expert advice.
Experts recommend running a maintenance check on your HVAC system to ensure it remains in top condition. You can expand the life span of your air conditioner with proper maintenance. However, please resist the urge to repair your HVAC system yourself, as it sometimes emits harmful substances like carbon monoxide and propane. To ensure peace of mind and safety and to avoid explosions, get the help of a technician. A professional technician will also advise if a new heating or air conditioning unit is a better option.
Lastly, during a hurricane, consider switching off your HVAC system and keeping it in an elevated platform. After a hurricane, contact your technician to clean and dry out the ductwork before turning the system on again. That way, you can mitigate any future problems.
Prepare a hurricane supply kit.
Now that you know that a hurricane happens mainly in the summer seasons, always stay alert and keep up with the weather forecast. An emergency kit can come in handy during moments like this. Your hurricane emergency kit should consist of a non-rechargeable flashlight, canned food, disposable plates, an ample supply of bottled water, and a first aid kit.
Experts recommend having a hurricane supply kit prepared in and out of hurricane season. Furthermore, it would be best if you had a foolproof evacuation plan in place. A detailed evacuation plan should clearly state the course of action in the event of flooding or any other natural disaster. Also, remember to place a flotation device near your planned exits in case your home gets flooded. The key takeaway is that having a well-stocked hurricane supply kit during hurricane season can make you more comfortable staying at home.
Have backup power.
It’s normal for severe weather conditions to cause power surges and outages in residential and commercial properties. During severe tropical storms, your home could be cut off from the power supply for a while. So, it’s vital to stay ahead of any planned power outages coming up within your neighborhood. You may also decide to sign up for notifications provided by FEMA or your power company.
We also recommend purchasing and learning how to operate a home generator to keep the lights on in the event of a power outage. This is especially important to keep your food supplies fresh, telephone lines operational, and the HVAC system running. Buy extra chargers and batteries for your small electronics and appliances. If your garage door opens with electricity, you might want to learn how to manually open the door in case the power goes off before your evacuation.
