As Hugh Jackman’s Keller Dover tells his son in the opening scene of the film Prisoners, “Pray for the best but prepare for the worst.” This is an excellent principle to live your life by, especially if you live in an area prone to natural disasters and destructive weather. It’s no secret that hurricanes have the potential to shatter countless lives and cause an immense amount of property damage in their wake. And while some areas are more susceptible to hurricanes than others, it’s usually a smart idea to be prepared for one just in case. Here are a few things you should know when preparing for the hurricane season. 

Plan A Route Of Escape Beforehand 

No matter how lovely your house is to you, it’s nowhere near as important as your life or the lives of your loved ones. It’s essential to be prepared to evacuate your home if the time comes. This may consist of saying goodbye to your home forever. And while this may be daunting and sad to some, it’s a much better outcome compared to losing your life. 

Stock Up On Emergency Supplies 

Now we know that not everyone has a doomsday shelter in their home basement. The good news is you don’t need one. Devoting a small closet or even small room for keeping emergency supplies such as extra batteries, drinking water, and first aid supplies is an excellent way of staying prepared in the case of a deadly hurricane. It’s also usually recommended to have some of these supplies already packed in a suitcase or duffle bag just in case you have to evacuate your home at the last minute. 

Review Your Insurance Policies Again 

Many homeowners find themselves faced with home damage and issues in the wake of a severe hurricane. Most home insurance policies will cover the immense costs of temporary repairs for your house. Some even allocate funds for temporary residences in case your home has been completely destroyed. It’s a good rule of thumb to go through your home insurance policy every so often so that you are prepared for what your policy covers and what it doesn’t. 

Protect Your Home 

There is a wide range of steps you can take in order to protect your home from any external issues such as hurricanes or other instances of severe weather. Preparations such as installing storm shutters on your windows or replacing your old garage doors are excellent ways of protecting your home from the strength of hurricane winds. Whenever you’re preparing for an incoming hurricane, take a look at both your front and backyard to see if there are any loose branches or weak trees. It’s also recommended to replace the glass for your sliding glass doors with tempered glass as they are usually more robust and are able to withstand harsher weather.