Chapter 3: Hurricane Preparedness Checklist: Inside & Outside Your Home

Hurricanes can cause severe damage to your home. Taking the proper precautions inside and outside your home can give your home better chances of weathering the storm.

Outside the Home

• Tie down or bring in loose objects around your home.
• Bring potted plants inside your home.
• Bring patio furniture inside.
• Cover all windows and doors with shutters, boards, or other materials that acts as shielding material.
• If you live in a storm surge or flood zone, consider solutions like sandbags to prevent flooding inside your home.

Inside the Home

• Check emergency supplies to ensure everything that has batteries or needs to be charged is working.
• Stock up on non-perishable foods, medications, personal hygiene, sanitary, and baby supplies for at least 14 days.
• Have water on hand. Pro tip: you’ll want at least 1 gallon of water per person per day, so if you are preparing for 72 hours for 3 people, that would be a total of 9 gallons of safe water on hand.
• Turn your refrigerator/freezer to the coldest setting to keep food fresh longer in the event the power goes out.
• Stock a cooler with ice or frozen ice packs
• Place a dowel or broom handle into the track of a sliding glass door to secure the door shut.
• Store matches in a waterproof container.
• Have a first aid kit and make sure it is well stocked.
• Keep a whistle to signal for help.
• If you own a pet make sure to have plenty of food and water for them as well