Online Tips PROTECTING YOUR HOME While it's vital to keep up with the everyday maintenance of your home, it's also important to protect your home before it can be damaged-especially from severe weather. By following this simple checklist, you can take steps to ensure that your home is safely protected and for you and your family. Start it "up." CHECK any loose shingles on your roof. ENSURE the gutters are tightly hinged and that they drain freely. CHECK the storms drains for any clogging. Work your way down. CHECK all windows and doors to ensure they are caulked sufficiently. INSTALL hurricane shutters over windows and doors (recommended). SECURE plywood over windows if you do not have hurricane shutters. REMOVE any small-stone landscaping or cover the rocks with a tarp. Close it up. CHECK to see if your garage door complies with your area's building code rating for hurricane wind loads, and for the impact of flying debris. HURRICANE EMERGENCY The best way to weather a hurricane safely is to be prepared. This checklist will help you take some of the necessary precautions to ensure that your home and its precious contents are protected from the storm. Weathering the storm at home If you do not live within the "evacuation area," the following is a checklist to help you prepare to stay home during the storm. REMOVE all loose items from your yard. SECURE all windows and doors with plywood. HAVE your address clearly marked in front of your home. KEEP flashlights handy. IF the power goes out, turn off your water heater, air conditioner and heater to reduce the chance of damage. IF flooding occurs, turn off all electricity at the main breaker box. At-Home Emergency Supply Kit: Two flashlights Battery-operated radio Six extra sets of batteries. Gel freezer packs to keep food cold Cooler Matches and a lighter Camping stove and/or grill with fuel Fire extinguisher Medicine kit with a first aid book Tarp Towels Camera and film Whistle Cellular phone Drinking water in plastic containers Water purifying kit Non-perishable food in cans or sealed containers Box of large, plastic trash bags Box of locking top, sealing plastic bags (one gallon size) Evacuating your home If your area is ordered to evacuate, don't panic. An orderly, but immediate evacuation will help ensure that you and your family arrive safely at your destination. TAKE your at-home emergency supply kit with you. GATHER your important documents: insurance papers with the name and phone number of your agent, medical records, driver's license, property photos, inventory check list, etc. TURN off water, gas and electricity. LOCK all windows and doors. CALL friends and relatives to inform them of your destination.