With hurricane season around the corner, Floridians in the Tampa Bay, St. Pete, and Clearwater areas are beginning to prepare for hurricanes, strong winds, and torrential weather. There are many ways that Floridians deal with hurricanes, from tropical storms to Category 5 winds.

By utilizing safety measures and specific precautions to prepare their homes, Floridians can protect themselves, their loved ones, and their houses from destructive hurricanes and severe winds. Not to mention you can endure the storm as comfortably as possible when you’ve prepared to the best of your abilities.

Hurricane Preparation Inventory

Stocking up on supplies and checking your inventory every six months is a great strategy for Floridians to prepare for hurricanes. By having the right supplies, you won’t end up stuck without the essentials, which leads to a pretty uncomfortable hurricane experience.

A basic hurricane preparation inventory should include:

  • Flashlights
  • Batteries
  • Nonperishable food
  • A manual can opener
  • Bottled water
  • Medications and vitamins
  • Cash
  • Toilet paper
  • Hygiene products
  • Duct tape
  • Disinfectant
  • Plastic bags
  • Rain gear
  • Sturdy shoes
  • Any supplies your animals may need

Keeping these supplies handy, particularly during hurricane season, can ensure you and your family are prepared for the worst if a hurricane should hit. Keep in mind, it’s important to check up on your supplies every six months to make sure that nothing is expired or broken.

If there are supplies that you can’t just let sit around for months such as medications, or other products, make sure you stock up prior to the hurricane.

Precautions for Your Home

There are some additional precautions Floridians take to keep themselves and their loved ones safe and out of harm’s way during a hurricane. You can take certain safety measures, such as these, for maximum readiness:

  • Move items away from the windows to avoid mess, loss, or breakage due to flying debris
  • Come up with a hurricane protocol plan and give everyone a responsibility if a hurricane should hit
  • Keep your documents safe in a waterproof, portable container
  • Install hurricane protection features
  • Remove outdoor belongings that could become flying debris during the storm
  • Evacuate in a timely manner if necessary

Your home is filled with sentimental belongings, that you don’t want to be damaged. In addition, you want to ensure you and your loved ones remain safe during the peak stages of the storm. So consider taking some of these precautions, because it’s always better to be safe rather than sorry.

Hurricane Protection Features

Stocking up on supplies and coming up with a readiness plan are all effective methods that Floridians use to deal with hurricanes. Although, there are ways to protect Florida homes from impact and debris that go beyond buying canned food and flashlights.

There are specific safety features and additions that Floridians can add to their homes in order to prevent damage and devastation. Here are a few hurricane protection features that can be installed into your home to keep you and your loved ones safe, and keep your house intact:

Automated hurricane protection

Automated hurricane protection can make preparing your home for a hurricane a quick and easy process. Simply press a button, and your home is ready and protected. Furthermore, there are various ways to control your motorized hurricane protection. You can do it from an app on your phone, a remote, or we can install a control panel into your home.

There are two main types of automated hurricane protection features, including motorized rolling shutters and retractable hurricane screens.

Motorized Rolling Shutters

Motorized rolling shutters are made from robust, lightweight aluminum. They’re thoroughly tested and built to withstand high-category hurricanes. These automated shutters are incredibly durable, and the motorizing feature allows for easy deployment and immediate safety. When the storm is over you simply retract back into your home.

Retractable Hurricane Screens

Retractable hurricane screens also operate on a motor and come down at a moment’s notice. We specially design screens to fit anywhere you need for protection to prepare for hurricanes. Which could include, windows, doors, and veranda openings.

An automated hurricane protection option allows you to reduce the time and effort needed to protect your Florida home. Some great benefits that retractable hurricane screens offer year-round include,

  • Insect protection
  • Solar protection
  • Less debris on your patio and in your pool
  • A cooler outdoor area

If you don’t want to make the commitment to having shutters or screens 24/7, automated hurricane protection is a great option. An automated shutter or screen requires minimal maintenance and the protection is well worth the cost. Making it a great option to prepare for hurricanes.

Hurricane windows

While plywood and shutters take time and effort to set up before a storm, impact hurricane windows require zero storm preparation. They are made with specialized glass that is able to withstand hurricane-force winds by sustaining a bond to the window frame. Installing hurricane windows into your Florida home help effortlessly prevent damage from strong winds and debris.

Hurricane shutters

Hurricane shutters not only help to keep you and your loved ones safe, but they are aesthetically pleasing, as well. The Bahama shutters influence an island feel and are adjustable so you can decide how much light you want to let in.

The Aluminum Colonial hurricane shutters work for practical and effective protection. Both of these hurricane shutter options offer protection for your window openings from the potentially damaging effects of hurricane-force winds, while also maintaining functionality and an aesthetic design. Making shutters is a great way to prepare for hurricanes.

 Hurricane fabric protection

Hurricane fabric is another protective function for keeping Florida homes safe from hurricane weather. It is ideal for protecting homes, buildings, porches, lanais, and offices at a much more appealing price than some other hurricane protection options.

Fabric is made with a versatile and strong material. This material acts as a protective alternative to metal, heavy plywood, or acrylic panels. Hurricane fabric works by absorbing the impact of flying debris and heavy objects that hurricane winds may pick. This feature helps to reduce potential damage to your Tampa Bay home even during high-category hurricanes.

Prepare For Hurricanes With West Shore Construction

Floridians deal with hurricanes in a number of ways. It’s all about finding what’s best for you, your home, and the safety of your loved ones. To learn more about how you can prepare for hurricanes and protect your Florida home, contact us today at West Shore Construction for additional tips and information (727) 488-8182.