Tampa – As Hurricane Lili chooses her course, the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) says Gulf coast residents who may be in its path should take time now to protect homes and businesses from damage wind and rain can cause, before evacuation orders are given.
To protect your home:
Clean your yard. Remove anything that will become a flying missile, including lawn furniture, garbage cans, dead tree limbs and broken fencing.
Protect your windows. If you do not have impact resistant windows or shutters, buy plywood panels (minimum of 7/16” thick) and the right nails to hold them securely in place.
Reinforce your garage door. Home improvement centers have temporary center supports that can be attached when severe weather threatens.
“Batten down the hatches.” Be sure to close and lock all windows, doors, skylights and vents in your home to minimize water intrusion.
To protect your business:
Decide what records you will need. Back-up all computer records and maintain them at least 50 miles off site.
Plan for the worst. If the hurricane forces you to relocate, know ahead of time where you want to go.
Take important papers. Key contact information, inventory lists and insurance papers are critical in recovering from a disaster. Keep them safe.
For more comprehensive home and business protection information, visit the IBHS web site www.disastersafety.org, or call toll-free 1 (866) 657-IBHS (4247).
The Institute for Business & Home Safety is a national nonprofit initiative of the insurance industry to reduce deaths, injuries, property damage, economic losses and human suffering caused by natural disasters.
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